downy feathers in some of the chickens

[fitchstr]

A couple of my chickens have downy feathers showing but not their normal feathers. Not sure all the terms. I am wondering if the light that I used in the winter stopped the molt or if they have some sort of issue. 2 of the 5 have this problem.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Do you have a rooster?

MrsB

 

[fitchstr]

No roo. I wonder if the light stopped their molt. They are 13 months old.

 

[MrsBrooke]

If there's no rooster, I would check them thoroughly for lice and/or mites.

Check the vent area by parting the feathers... You might see little cayenne pepper flakes make a run for it.

Also check around the ears for any clear, white bugs.

If you find any creepy crawlies, Sevin dust should do the trick.

MrsB

 

[fitchstr]

Well I dusted them with DE for now. The wyandotte now has it in the front. It is all over. Even after a dusting. I do not see any signs of lice or mites. Her egg production has been ok and quality good. I might just deworm just to see if it has an effect. No sign of any issue there either. Agway suggested a different feed that helps with feather growth. seems like the tips of the feathers are just not there.

 

[MrsBrooke]

DE won't kill parasites. DE is "expensive dirt."

I'd keep a careful watch on your ladies. You might have a couple that are picking at feathers and eating them.

Unsure if the artificial light had anything to do with it... Did you have it on all night during the winter, or was it on a timer of some sort?

MrsB

 

[fitchstr]

It was a red heat lamp. Record low temps with the wind. Coop temps were below 0. There was some light escaping from the water heater area but it was quite dark. It seems worse now than in the winter (no lights now). Before it was just a few on the back but now it is also on her chest/front. So I am wondering if it is a food/worm issue that is contributing to it. Ok so DE is a no go. I can get the other stuff that you mention above. Her weight seems fine. There are feather problems all over her. I just checked. Even her wings have the tips broken off. Almost ready for a vet visit. Seriously no evidence of lice or mites. Vent area is perfect and quite fluffy normal.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Red is good. That won't bother their night vision or sleeping... I only ask because constant, white light can cause pecking and aggression.

Since the tips of the feathers are missing, I'm going to blame someone in the flock. I've never heard of worms causing feather loss like that, especially since you feel her weight is okay. A chicken with worms is lethargic, thin, pale in the comb/wattles, and usually has runny, watery poops and a poopy butt.

What type of feed are they getting and what is the protein %?

MrsB

 

[mshack]

My wyandottes have the exact same issue. We inherited 6 year old hens last fall from an overcrowded coop with lots of aggressive hens. They were in rough shape for a while, raw bloody backs and missing tail feathers. They finally grew their feathers back and started looking healthy through the winter. Now four of the six have the exact downy feathers just like the above picture. We have a total of nine chickens and those are the only ones like that. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[fitchstr]

I think this is all food related. Since two have nothing wrong. I have upped the protein intake and that has helped her look a little better. Also I put multiple food sources around the run so the bigger dominant birds can't push them out. I used grower mixed with layer a little as well. That seemed to help. Have not had the vet visit yet but there is egg production so not ready for that. Also vitamins in the water. She still looks bad. I am hoping she molts and gets a better start to winter.