Feather problem

[19marvinn]

About half of my hens have this problem with bare bottoms. It looks like it could be a big issue and with winter, cold. Any help identifying and issue or a solution is greatly appreciated.

 

[junebuggena]

Looks like you may have a possible mite/lice infestation. Go out, after dark, and check your hens for lice or mites. If there are mites or lice, pyrethrum spray is an all-natural, safe and effective treatment.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That looks like from feather picking. Usually from not enough protein in the diet. The rear end is easy for a feather picker to snatch feathers off another chicken. I would spend some time quietly observing your birds to see if you see anyone doing it. Switch them to a higher protein feed, 18-22% is best.

 

[19marvinn]

Looks like you may have a possible mite/lice infestation. Go out, after dark, and check your hens for lice or mites. If there are mites or lice, pyrethrum spray is an all-natural, safe and effective treatment. 

If it is lice or mites wouldn't all of my hens have this issue? It's only on certain ones. I've been spraying the area with a permethrin water mix for a few weeks once a week.

That looks like from feather picking. Usually from not enough protein in the diet. The rear end is easy for a feather picker to snatch feathers off another chicken. I would spend some time quietly observing your birds to see if you see anyone doing it. Switch them to a higher protein feed, 18-22% is best.

and I have observed them for quite some time over the last few weeks and notice no bullying. Also they are on a 24% feed

 

[junebuggena]

You have to treat the whole bird, not just the affected area. And be careful that you aren't diluting it too much. Treatment should be applied twice weekly, till no more bugs have been observed. Feathers may not grow back till they molt again, next fall.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Than lice or mites as mentioned would have been my next thought. I use a powdered poultry dust which works well. I dust the nestboxes and roost cracks too.

 

[aart]

Even if bird has/had bugs that caused feather loss....feathers likely won't grow back until a molt.