Chicken feathers stripped - what is causing this?

[MadelineT]

This is the only thread in 1+ years of searching that I’ve been able to find with people that have the same issue as my birds!!!

Stick feathers completely on tail and wings. Tried every treatment in the books for lice and mites (flea and tick shampooo, DE, Ivermectin shots, Permethren multiple times in the coop, even a $250 vet visit.. etc!)

They only seem to be getting worse! They act fine though.. eat, lay, and drink like normal.

No pecking each other, only themselves. They have PLENTY of room in their run (10x12 feet for only 3 birds) plus they get to free range in the garden and grass almost every day.

I’ve watched like a hawk for pecking and they only peck themselves! But they peck so much they bleed.

They’re on a high protein feather fixer layer pellet and they get meal worms and occasional scrambled eggs for added protein after they eat their daily food.

I know it’s been years, but WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR HENS that had this same problem? Help help help!

No rooster around.

 

[Tobin697]

I have had the same problem. My best guess is parasites. If the feather fall out or stop growing off the stick part, its 1 of 2 things. Some disease/cancer/illness is compromising the part of the body that produces it. Likely not this. Or, the body can't get the nutrients necessary to produce them because of diet or parasites. Likely this. (In my amateur medical detective's opinion)

I have had it happen to a duck and a chicken previously. At first both seemed fine otherwise. Then they began to slow down, act lethargic, depressed even. Eventually they both died. This happened to both at different times. Now I have another chicken doing the same thing. She still seems fine for now despite the funky feathers. I am pretty new at the back yard flock. Just over a year. I figured out I needed to give them diatomaceous earth in their feed to fend off worms. I don't know if that will by itself do the trick. I just started it. I thinking I need to give her a parasite treatment of some kind but of course I don't know what exactly. I'd be grateful to hear what of this others might know too.
Thanks

 

[SARJEX]

Has there been any updates? I have a chicken whose feathers all look like sticks. She eats okay but the other chickens (mostly my rooster and another lady) are bullying her relentlessly. We ve separated her to let her heal up but her feathers are just getting worse.

 

[Techknowdude]

Still no updates? I’m having the same issue and can’t get any good information elsewhere. My girls look just like the photo.