Feather loss recovery

[2BD4C10C]

We have taken in 12, 1.5 yo hens from a overcrowding situation. They also had an overzealous roo with them. They have horrible feather loss on their backs and bottoms. I think that started out as maybe parasites then with the overcrowding and boredom it got bad fast.

The previous owner had worked with them since the winter trying to get their feathers to come back in. Dusted them with multiple types of stuff to kill any lice. Tried all the products that are supposed to stop chickens from pecking each other. Then when that didnt work he thought maybe it might be the roo so he removed him but still the hens look like this. Then someone suggested overcrowding. He had approx. 30 hens in a 225 square foot lot.

The first 5 I got from him was over a month ago and only 1 of them has gotten all her feathers back (black sex link). The rest have gotten some but not very many at all. I am a bit worried that their follicles may have been damaged. How long should it take for them to get their feathers back?

I have looked them over but have see no evidence of any external parasite.They do not scratch a lot very rarely see one do so. Is there a internal parasite that might cause them to look this way? Is there any feed I can give to help them grow back? I got another 7 from him a few nights ago the pictures below are of them. They are are all Rode Island Reds. They are now in a 1,020 square foot lot now (will be in a 1,500sqft one this week). I also have my 5 three month old chicks in with them. So a total of 17 chickens.

 

[Eggcessive]

At 18 months of age they may be in the process of molting or getting ready to start. When a chicken loses a lot of feathers from being feather picked, overcrowding, or rooster damage, they usually won't re-grow their feathers until the next big molt. Some use hen saddles or aprons to cover bare skin until feathers regrow. Here is some information about molting, and hen aprons or saddles:
http://www.grit.com/animals/molting-what-is-it--how-to-help-chickens-get-through-it.aspx
http://www.nutrenaworld.com/knowledge-center/poultry/the-molting-process/index.jsp
http://www.hensaver.com/
http://www.louisescountrycloset.com/hen-saddles/

 

[2BD4C10C]

Thank you for the links. Since they have had the feather loss since the winter and little to no regrowth I think it was caused by parasites and the overcrowding. Hopefully they will molt and they will regrow. If not then I guess I will have a bunch of nekked hens

Out of the 12 adult hens we got 9 eggs the first day 10 the second and 12 yesterday. So if they are molting right now then it isnt affecting their laying any yet.

 

[2BD4C10C]

Since they are laying so many eggs a day is it right to think they are not molting right now? Just wish I knew what to do to help them get their feathers back.

 

[Eggcessive]

They have probably been picking each other's feathers due to over crowding, boredom, or lack of protein in the diet. It's just a guess, but the black one has probably molted, and got her new feathers in. When there has been a large feather loss from over mating or pecking, then they will usually grow back in with the next molt. Feed them a good layer feed, and add some extra protein with feeding eggs, 26% fame bird feed, tuna, or a good dry cat food. Feather picking can be a habit, but hopefully with more room and getting outside, they will get their feathers back soon. And yes, if they are laying, they are not presently molting.

 

[2BD4C10C]

The last few days I am seeing new feathers on about half the hens. I thought they didnt get their feathers back until they molted but these girls have all been laying almost every day so I didnt think they where molting?

Not that it matters in the long run but with all my animals I like knowing things because knowledge helps me take care of them properly.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Don't take my poor word for it but all of your pics are classic examples of depluming mite damage.

I also believe that roosters prefer their women fully clothed so i doubt that that is playing any part in your hens problems..

Don't catch your hens and go pawing over them looking for depluming mites. The buggers are invisible to the human eye. Besides they live INSIDE of the feather quill.

"I would prefer that you do your own research but here is one example to get you off on the "correct" foot.

"The depluming mite (known in Latin as Knemidocoptes gallinae) is one of the less well known poultry parasites. This mite is related to the scaly leg mite (Knemidocoptes mutans) though each mite prefers to inhabit a different region of the body with the depluming mite preferring feathered areas whilst the scaly leg mite prefers to burrow into the featherless skin on the legs.
The depluming mite can infect most backyard fowl including chickens, ducks and geese. The mite burrows into the feather shafts and the skin surrounding the feathers. This burrowing causes damage to the skin and feathers, causing fluid to ooze out. It is this fluid on which the mites feed. As the mites burrow into the feathers, the pain can be sufficient enough to cause the bird to pull out its own feathers hence the name ‘the depluming mite’.
Owners should watch out for:

• Birds pulling out their own feathers
• Broken feathers
• Un-kept feathers
• Thickened, scaly, crusty skin at the base of the feathers
• Small blister-like areas of damage on the skin

The mite spends its entire life on the bird and as such cannot survive in the environment without birds. The mite is transmitted between birds by direct contact."

https://poultrykeeper.com/external-problems/depluming-mites/

 

[2BD4C10C]

Thank you for that very helpful. I havnt seen any of the chickens pulling feathers or grooming that much and they all look to have normal skin and feathers that are there. They where treated several times with 7 dust before we got them. But I see that would work on these buggers.

No one looks to itch a ton rarely see anyone scratch. But I have no problem treating for them just in case. I want my ladies feathered before winter.

 

[Math]

I hope you great success with feather recovery. Your hens must be happy since they are so productive. I feel like you will succeed with these hens. Let me know to what you attribute your success with the feather recovery. God bless.

 

[2BD4C10C]

The only differences between what we are doing compared the the previous owner is lots more room and adding cat food to their diet.