Duccles Defeathered!!!

[AbbysSilkies]

Good morning!
I have two duccles in my flock, Lemon and Lime. They both are missing feathers, Lemon a patch on her side and Limes beard. Someone told me it was a predator but I’m not sure, I wanted a second opinion because a raccoon couldn’tve gotten in the coop

 

[coach723]

Check them over for lice/mites. http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/
Feather picking is also a possibility, you will need to watch behaviors to see if that's happening. Common causes are overcrowding, boredom, or not enough protein in the diet. Common cause of low protein is too many treats.
A racoon may not be able to get in your set up, can't see enough of it, but from what I can see in your pictures they could reach in and grab a chicken through it resulting in feather loss, broken necks, legs & wings, and strangulation or decapitation, and unless you have a buried apron, they could dig under.

 

[AbbysSilkies]

Check them over for lice/mites. http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/
Feather picking is also a possibility, you will need to watch behaviors to see if that's happening. Common causes are overcrowding, boredom, or not enough protein in the diet. Common cause of low protein is too many treats.
A racoon may not be able to get in your set up, can't see enough of it, but from what I can see in your pictures they could reach in and grab a chicken through it resulting in feather loss, broken necks, legs & wings, and strangulation or decapitation, and unless you have a buried apron, they could dig under.

Alright, thanks so much. Hopefully it was feather picking, they were both kind of nipping where the feathers weren’t and my grandfather feeds them way too many treats. I’ll check for mites

 

[AbbysSilkies]

Here’s their setup, it’s also surrounded by electric netting. There are 12 birds, 8 are bantams. We’re adding another 10x10 dog run soon

 

[coach723]

I think you are a bit overcrowded which may be contributing. Hopefully adding the additional run will help. 10 square feet per bird is a minimum recommendation, and often, depending on the birds themselves and their personality and temperament, that is not enough space. What looks or sounds good on paper may not work in the real world. How your flock behaves is a much better indicator of things. I'd spend some time watching them to have a better idea.

 

[AbbysSilkies]

I think you are a bit overcrowded which may be contributing. Hopefully adding the additional run will help. 10 square feet per bird is a minimum recommendation, and often, depending on the birds themselves and their personality and temperament, that is not enough space. What looks or sounds good on paper may not work in the real world. How your flock behaves is a much better indicator of things. I'd spend some time watching them to have a better idea.

Yes, they all get along well. They mostly hang out in one big group and a few will be off chasing bugs or eating. The new renovations will give them a total of 30 sq feet per bird so that should help