Feather loss at the base of tail

[Ajmccafferty]

Hi there!

A few of my girls have experienced some feather loss at the base of their tails. They have access to dust bath, and we have been spot treating with a DE solution in case it’s mites. Out of 15 hens, only 4 of them look like this, and it has been going on for several months. Other than the loss of feathers, they have not been showing any other signs of illness or distress. Is this just a long slow molt or is something else up?

 

[Silkie Princess]

Do you have a rooster?

 

[Ajmccafferty]

Do you have a rooster?

We did up until about a week ago. Think it’s from mounting?

 

[Silkie Princess]

We did up until about a week ago. Think it’s from mouting?

I think that's the roosters work

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Could be a young possum, they like tail feathers!
Then they grow up to be big possums and eat your chickens.
I would try trapping, just in case. That way you can get ahead of the game, before you find a possum with a hen in it's mouth, in the middle of one night.
We had to learn the hard way.
A rooster is a good alarm system for protection from animals of prey.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Hi there!

A few of my girls have experienced some feather loss at the base of their tails. They have access to dust bath, and we have been spot treating with a DE solution in case it’s mites. Out of 15 hens, only 4 of them look like this, and it has been going on for several months. Other than the loss of feathers, they have not been showing any other signs of illness or distress. Is this just a long slow molt or is something else up?

Possum would be possible. Are they laying? If its molting give them extra calcium so there feathers can grow faster. That's why it would be taking months also if you have a rooster it's very possible.

 

[Silkie Princess]

We don't have possums where I live. That's why I guessed the rooster did that

 

[MysteryChicken]

Looks like boredom picking, if not rats.

DE doesn't treat mites.