Feather loss

[Cristinaroman]

Help!! Does anyone know why my chicken is loosing feathers on her back?

 

[wyndham carruth]

how old is your chicken? if it is an older bird then it is likely that it is beginning to do its annual molt....dunno what others would say though

i would be careful and take it away from the other birds. bare flesh could cause them to start cannibalism which is horrible once they get a taste for chicken meat....can destroy your flock!!!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Do you have a rooster?

That's either rooster damage or bully damage most likely.

Parting feathers under vent to look for parasites is a good ideal.

ETA: that is definitely NOT molt.

 

[Melky]

Agree with @EggSighted4Life. Molt is usually fall winter. Rule out parasites like lice or mites. If none likely bullying, feather picking, or rooster damage. Would cover with saddle ASAP to prevent others pecking area.

Feather picking May result when birds feel not enough feed or protein. Separate feeding stations that allow ad lib feeding and higher protein feed may help resolve issue. Higher protein feed will also help replace feathers more quickly.

 

[wyndham carruth]

yes ok i take the adjustment... we have 3 cockerels and have the same problem....glad we have some people on here that give correct advice.....hahaha

 

[EggSighted4Life]

. bare flesh could cause them to start cannibalism which is horrible once they get a taste for chicken meat

It's the tasty blood that causes cannibalism, not the meat.

Separating the chicken can cause MAJOR issues with reintegration.

Finding the cause and treating it is the best course of action.

Lack of protein is NOT the reason for feather picking as many would lead you to believe. Feathers are made of keratin and are only about 2% digestible protein. More often than that is about boredom or behavioral issues.

Molt can happen any time of year, since chickens don't care what all the books say they *should* do... it can be brought on by nutrient deficit, stress, parasites, and many other things... but is most often seen starting around the neck area. True adding extra protein if you feed "layer" does help feathers grow in as feathers are made from 90% protein and its' amino acids. However... that chicken may or may not regrow feathers until true molt. Sometimes pulled feathers will grow back right away but other times if it was broken off they might not come in anytime soon.

One way to tell when you see this kind of feather loss if it is indicative of molt or not... is molting birds will have pin feathers coming in to replace the lost ones. Molting birds will also most often NOT be laying as their body must use that energy to grow feathers instead of eggs. Also molting skin looks fairly normal and light pink... not red with scabs or angry.

Just sharing info... please add smiley's anywhere that helps you know my intent is friendly helpfulness!

ETA: the saddle suggested can be a useful tool.

 

[Cristinaroman]

Thank you for all the great advice. The chicken is a year and and 3 months. I live in sw Florida and I have 2 roosters for 18 chickens. I started with 24 but a neighbors dog came in the yard and killed 5 and one died a month ago. Maybe it's not enough chickens for 2 roosters. I dusted the chickens and the coop a few weeks ago. I'm going to try the saddle guard and see how it goes. I bought some anti pecking I'll use that as well. Appreciate all the advice.

 

[lemurloo]

View attachment 1752912Help!! Does anyone know why my chicken is loosing feathers on her back?

I have 3 ameraucana's that have almost the identical problem - one has had it 8 months or so and now the others are getting it - could it be too many rooms? I have 3 roo's and 8 hens...