EE losing feathers on bottom..completely bald!!!

[slickchick]

I just noticed this morning that only one of my EE's are losing feathers around her bottom area. She is completely bald here! It extends down her one leg also. None of my other chickens seem to have any signs of feather loss. She about 10 months old and is laying daily. Could this be a stress issue, or is it something else? This is my first time raising chickens, so I have no idea what this could be. Possibly molting? Please help! Their bedding is of pine woodchips and over the winter I have been using the deep litter method.

 

[speckledhen]

Could be molting. That happens during molt but just to be safe, look for lice or mites. If there is no evidence of pests, and you could dust her just to be sure, then it's molting. Here is a picture of one of my girls who had a hard, extended months-long molt to reassure you. She's beautiful now:

 

[slickchick]

I have heard of dusting. Where can I get dust mite powder? Thanks.

 

[LinckHillPoultry]

is she broody?

 

[speckledhen]

I have only dusted mine with food grade DE. I would assume you could get mite powder at a pet store or feedstore. I know I've seen a lice/mite spray at both and also on occasion at Walmart in the pet section. If she was broody, she might pluck the breast area, but not the bottom.

 

[slickchick]

where could I get food grade DE? Thanks.

 

[speckledhen]

Custom Milling sells PermaGuard Food Grade DE and this guy is listed as the only rep in PA.

Pennsylvania
Kevin Zurin - Mount Joy PA 717-653-2757

You could call him and see if he knows about it-some reps have to be told they sell it, LOL, but they can all order it and get it in. OR they company can ship it.

http://www.custommilling.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=4&Itemid=26

 

[slickchick]

what is a good way to tell if she is broody?

 

[speckledhen]

You'll know. She'll puff up like a beachball and screech at you if you even look at her on the nest, maybe even peck at your hand if you reach toward her. Not much else looks like broody, LOL. Here's my broody Sunny last year:

 

[MTtroutwithwings]

Quote:
Speckledhen, your right, it is too funny! Problem though? Some of mine do this everytime I go to retrieve eggs in the midmorning so I stopped the morning retrieval and waited till the evening, they would all be out-n-about with a nest full of cold eggs! They've yet to prove themselves! Now went they screech at me, I just respond with a, "oh, put or shutup" comment!

Point? This behavior really can't be trusted as true broodiness, just moodiness (chicken PMS!)
Lori