Feather loss near comb?

[Soleil_A]

Hi all!

I have been noticing lately, that my two hens (ISA brown and RHW) are losing their feathers around their comb. I can get pictures later. Also, they sleep in their nesting boxes!! It’s super annoying because they get poop all over their eggs. How can I fix this?
Thanks!!

 

[Cyprus]

Do you have a rooster?

 

[Soleil_A]

Do you have a rooster?

no

 

[Cyprus]

no

Could be hen pecking

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi all!

I have been noticing lately, that my two hens (ISA brown and RHW) are losing their feathers around their comb. I can get pictures later. Also, they sleep in their nesting boxes!! It’s super annoying because they get poop all over their eggs. How can I fix this?
Thanks!!

Yes, photos please.

How old are the hens?
Were these 2 roosting before and have just recently decided to sleep in the nesting boxes?
If you don't want them sleeping in the nesting boxes, block them off about an hour before roosting time.
If they used to roost and now don't, investigate why. The feather loss near the comb may be a clue. Are they being picked on at roosting time?
It would be a good idea to also check for lice/mites. Especially at night. Go out there with a white paper towel and rub the the roosts (bottom of the roost too) with the paper towel to make sure that mites are not coming out at night, if they are, the white towel should have little blood specks on it.

 

[Soleil_A]

Could be hen pecking

not sure about that, i’ve never noticed them ever pecking at each other.

 

[Soleil_A]

Yes, photos please.

How old are the hens?
Were these 2 roosting before and have just recently decided to sleep in the nesting boxes?
If you don't want them sleeping in the nesting boxes, block them off about an hour before roosting time.
If they used to roost and now don't, investigate why. The feather loss near the comb may be a clue. Are they being picked on at roosting time?
It would be a good idea to also check for lice/mites. Especially at night. Go out there with a white paper towel and rub the the roosts (bottom of the roost too) with the paper towel to make sure that mites are not coming out at night, if they are, the white towel should have little blood specks on it.

can mites love throughout the winter? it’s only them two, i have a small flock . I’ll check for the mites tonight! Getting pictures now. During the winter (which is now in michigan) they have always slept in the nesting boxes. But in the summer, they always roost. I would say they are somewhere around 3-4 years.

 

[Soleil_A]

Bertha is blind in one eye, she does great!

Berthas feather loss is worse than Frannies. They have never molted, either.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

can mites love throughout the winter? it’s only them two, i have a small flock . I’ll check for the mites tonight! Getting pictures now. During the winter (which is now in michigan) they have always slept in the nesting boxes. But in the summer, they always roost. I would say they are somewhere around 3-4 years.

Yes, mites and lice can move through winter. Most types of mites live off the bird and in the housing, so it would be a good idea to inspect at night when they come out. Check the nesting boxes at night too.

The feather loss, could be from plucking at one another. Do you observe them at night or when they are together?
The first hen is she blind in that one eye?

 

[Soleil_A]

Yes, mites and lice can move through winter. Most types of mites live off the bird and in the housing, so it would be a good idea to inspect at night when they come out. Check the nesting boxes at night too.

The feather loss, could be from plucking at one another. Do you observe them at night or when they are together?
The first hen is she blind in that one eye?

yes she is blind. it causes her no pain!! i check on them very often, and have never ever noticed them peck at each other.