Feather breakage and no rooster!

[peopleRanimals2]

It's kind of hard to tell in the pictures, your right, but all I can see is the bits of feather shaft that naturally come off when chickens preen. Sorry I can't be more helpful :/

 

[Iowagirl1]

Hello,Fellow Iowan!

Do you see any mites/lice on them?They are usually under the wings and vent.They are pretty hard to see.Is there any fighting between them?

There has not been any fighting between them that I've noticed, but I suspected lice Is there a reason it eiuld be only on a few of them but not all?

 

[Iowagirl1]

It's kind of hard to tell in the pictures, your right, but all I can see is the bits of feather shaft that naturally come off when chickens preen. Sorry I can't be more helpful :/

All I can tell besides seeing more of their down is that the feathers seem to be broken off:/ Like, there are still their feathers there but the top portion is broken off.

 

[peopleRanimals2]

Are these new chickens? It could be that the feather was gone and what you are seeing is new feathers growing in.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

There has not been any fighting between them that I've noticed, but I suspected lice

Is there a reason it eiuld be only on a few of them but not all?

Even though you don't see fighting and their may not be any worth worrying about, they do still peck each other... it's part of the pecking order.

Hopefully those links will help you find out.

Most parasites will overcome a weaker individual faster. They may have different dirt bathing habits or hang out in different locations. For example... all dogs have mites (a different type) only dogs with weakened immune system will actually get mange the non infectious type) which is caused by an overgrowth of the mites. And there is always some worm load, the problem comes when there is an overgrowth. And there is Cocci in every single chick poo. But it will bring down the weakest of the bunch who's system isn't strong enough to battle them itself. I don't use medicated chick starter which has an attribute that slows the growth of cocci, doesn't kill it. So basically all animals are individuals and we can't see what's going on inside of them. One just might be high strung which causes stress and weakens the immune system.

If you feel the need to treat, Permethrin is safe, effective, and when used as directed has no withdrawal period for eggs. Here is a link...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134783/permethrin-spray

I personally avoid DE, consider unsafe for me or my animals to breath and also ineffective as a treatment especially a wormer as some people use it. Willing to back my preference with more info if you desire.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

All I can tell besides seeing more of their down is that the feathers seem to be broken off:/ Like, there are still their feathers there but the top portion is broken off.

Use the flash light at night... in the position I described. What I could see then was VASTLY different than what I could see when we just looking in the day time!

 

[Iowagirl1]

Are these new chickens? It could be that the feather was gone and what you are seeing is new feathers growing in.

No, I got them when they were 2 was. old

 

[Iowagirl1]

Use the flash light at night... in the position I described. What I could see then was VASTLY different than what I could see when we just looking in the day time!

Thank you! I will definitely do that

 

[Iowagirl1]

Even though you don't see fighting and their may not be any worth worrying about, they do still peck each other... it's part of the pecking order.

Hopefully those links will help you find out.

 Most parasites will overcome a weaker individual faster. They may have different dirt bathing habits or hang out in different locations. For example... all dogs have mites (a different type) only dogs with weakened immune system will actually get mange the non infectious type) which is caused by an overgrowth of the mites. And there is always some worm load, the problem comes when there is an overgrowth. And there is Cocci in every single chick poo. But it will bring down the weakest of the bunch who's system isn't strong enough to battle them itself. I don't use medicated chick starter which has an attribute that slows the growth of cocci, doesn't kill it. So basically all animals are individuals and we can't see what's going on inside of them. One just might be high strung which causes stress and weakens the immune system.

If you feel the need to treat, Permethrin is safe, effective, and when used as directed has no withdrawal period for eggs. Here is a link...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134783/permethrin-spray

I personally avoid DE, consider unsafe for me or my animals to breath and also ineffective as a treatment especially a wormer as some people use it. Willing to back my preference with more info if you desire.

I do use the Durvette poultry de-wormer every other day (one scoop into 1 lb. of feed). Thank you for the link!

 

[Isaac 0]

Quote: They dont need to be wormed every other day.They need to build a immunity to the worms.Just like if you took a shower all the time.Did you see the lice?