Black Australorps Looking Terrible Since Feb. 2021!

[bluedayze]

I have a flock of 7, and all of my girls have beautiful feathers EXCEPT the two Black Australorps. They have been this way since February, so they can't still be molting, can they?!? They look rough and dingy and their faces are even in bad shape.

I don't have mites, and I don't believe it's feather picking/eating from the other chickens. They are not the most peaceful flock, but I have never seen them participate in that behavior. Also, one is at the top of the pecking order. Neither of them is at the bottom. And the whole flock gets to free-range every day.

I have been feeding them feather fixer for a couple of months now, but it doesn't seem to help them (although the other girls look lovely ). They get plenty of extra protein from bugs and eggs (that I boil and feed back to them). They also don't appear to feel sick and all and lay regularly.

I am located in St. Louis, and winter is coming. I'm concerned that they are going to get cold fast! Any ideas of what I could do to help them?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They can't pick the feathers off the top of their head or off their bottom.
Either they are getting plucked during roosting or they have lice/mites.

Observe behavior during roosting and early in the morning while roosting/very early. See if you notice any plucking/picking and/or mounting.

Dusting for lice/mites may be a good idea. Have you checked your housing at night for mites? That's when they come out to feed. Permethrin poultry dust and/or spray works to eliminate parasites.

Birds adapt to weather, so they will likely be fine.

 

[bluedayze]

They can't pick the feathers off the top of their head or off their bottom.
Either they are getting plucked during roosting or they have lice/mites.

Observe behavior during roosting and early in the morning while roosting/very early. See if you notice any plucking/picking and/or mounting.

Dusting for lice/mites may be a good idea. Have you checked your housing at night for mites? That's when they come out to feed. Permethrin poultry dust and/or spray works to eliminate parasites.

Birds adapt to weather, so they will likely be fine.

Thank you. I just bought some Durvet Permethrin 10%. Do I spray the chickens directly, or just the coop quarters/run, or all?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you. I just bought some Durvet Permethrin 10%. Do I spray the chickens directly, or just the coop quarters/run, or all?

Dilute it according to the instructions on your bottle. Treat birds and housing.

 

[bluedayze]

How often will I need to do this? I just sprayed them and the coop yesterday.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

With Permethrin, treat in 7 day intervals, so I would do initial treatment and repeat at least once.