Feather issue on saddle area?

[SilkieSisters]

My silver wyandotte has had a lot of feather loss and issues on her back or saddle area. It's been like this for over a year and I don't know what it is. She's been bathed and dusted with DE several times but nothing has changed. It hurts her a lot when the area is touched and usually has scabs or feathers that won't grow. Whenever she does grow feathers, they get ripped out. I don't know if it is the other hens or herself who pull them all out (I've seen both her and other hens bothering that area). It's a cycle of growing feathers and then ripping them all out. The feathers usually don't grow in much and the tube is either very hard, curly, or pink. I put some blu kote on the area and included pictures of what it looks like now. Does anyone know what's happening to her?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I guess you don't have roosters that are stripping off back feathers?
I've seen this when there was a craving for more animal protein. It resulted in cannibalism in one flock. 4 birds lost.
What makes up their entire diet?

 

[SilkieSisters]

I guess your don't have roosters?
I've seen this when there was a craving for more animal protein. It resulted in cannibalism in one flock. 4 birds lost.
What makes up their entire diet?

I used to have a rooster, but haven't had any for 3 months now. They always have layer feed available and I give them yogurt and pasta and bread as treats often. They also always have grit in the coop.

 

[SilkieSisters]

I guess your don't have roosters?
I've seen this when there was a craving for more animal protein. It resulted in cannibalism in one flock. 4 birds lost.
What makes up their entire diet?

I don't know if this has to do with it but she used to be terrified of the rooster and would run away if he got near her.

 

[Dona Worry]

I'd start with switching to a higher protein feed, stopping the bread, pasta and other treats, and giving free choice oyster shell.
Maybe mix a vitamin supplement into a yogurt mash.
Maybe it's just the pictures, but even where she has feathers they look dull and limp. It may not be a lack of protein in the diet, but for overall bedraggledness, that's where I would start.

 

[SilkieSisters]

I'd start with switching to a higher protein feed, stopping the bread, pasta and other treats, and giving free choice oyster shell.
Maybe mix a vitamin supplement into a yogurt mash.
Maybe it's just the pictures, but even where she has feathers they look dull and limp. It may not be a lack of protein in the diet, but for overall bedraggledness, that's where I would start.

Okay thank you! I also wonder why she is the the only one who has this issue and no one else does. What brands of high protein feed would you recommend? Right now I use Dumor layer feed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It may be related to the rooster. Perhaps she was his favorite and he would ride her first and more often which is why she was afraid of him. The feathers won't grow back - even with him gone - till after molt.
The brand of feed doesn't really matter, it is the nutritional content. When I buy feed, I first look at the mill date to insure it is fresh. Then I look at the protein % and calcium % on the guaranteed analysis tag.
If they are all still laying eggs, you can just add some animal protein in the form of meat, fish, mealworms, crickets, etc.. I too would cut out the bread and pasta. Most bread is high in salt and sugar. Switch up to meat treats rather than vegetable/grain sourced treats.

 

[Dona Worry]

Okay thank you! I also wonder why she is the the only one who has this issue and no one else does. What brands of high protein feed would you recommend? Right now I use Dumor layer feed.

I just use a very high profile all flock feed--22% protein. I like it high like that because my chickens like to graze, and this way I can be sure that even if they stuff their fat faces with limp fall grass, they still have enough protein for growing and laying at the same time.
Mine are all a very good weight, with soft and shiny feathers, so it works for me. I pay the calcium level no mind at all, just set the oyster shell out free choice. If they need it, they will take it.
You could also try getting a hen saddle for her, just covering the area completely for a while and see if the feathers grow back.

 

[rachelsflock]

X2 on a saddle suggestion. It might prevent further picking, sunburn, or hen on hen riding. Like a bandaid. As feathers come back in and cover skin the saddle can come off.

 

[SilkieSisters]

I just use a very high profile all flock feed--22% protein. I like it high like that because my chickens like to graze, and this way I can be sure that even if they stuff their fat faces with limp fall grass, they still have enough protein for growing and laying at the same time.
Mine are all a very good weight, with soft and shiny feathers, so it works for me. I pay the calcium level no mind at all, just set the oyster shell out free choice. If they need it, they will take it.
You could also try getting a hen saddle for her, just covering the area completely for a while and see if the feathers grow back.

Okay will do. I have oyster shells for them and she is too old to lay eggs anymore, but I'll make sure she gets what she needs