Deformed feathers?

[Birdnerd04]

Hello! We have an adult Partridge/Plymouth rock hen who has some very strange feathers. We got her as an adult 2 years ago and her feathers have always had the same ratty and threadbare look. Are parasites causing this? We have another Partridge/Plymouth who is very full feathered and healthy. What should we do? she seems healthy, has a good appetite and can fly onto her roost without any problem. Thanks!

 

[azygous]

Feather mites could produce such damage. Also, a nutritional imbalance also can. I suggest you dust her with permethrin poultry dust now and again in a week. That would halt any further damage if mites are responsible. But it will take until she molts again to replace the damaged feathers.

If you have a rooster, sometimes mating can damage the wing feathers. She may also be damaging the feathers herself if she's using them in confined spaces.

If it's nutrition, a product such as Nutrena Feather Fixer could help, or just feed her high protein such as canned mackerel a couple times a week.