Feathers pulled off one wing, occasionally limping

[FattySmough]

Hello,

Robin, my ISA Brown hen has been progressively losing more and more feathers over the course of about 3 months. I know this would be normal if she was moulting, but it's on one specific wing and she has all the feathers on the rest of her body. It looks like she probably pulled the feathers herself. I also will sometimes see her limping slightly on one leg. Some days it's worse and some days it's nonexistent. Could it maybe be nutritional? I use Nutrena Naturewise 16% layer crumbles. I don't think it's mites as she is the only chicken that seems to be affected like this. Any help is appreciated.

Her partially bald wing:

 

[Aunt Angus]

Hello,

Robin, my ISA Brown hen has been progressively losing more and more feathers over the course of about 3 months. I know this would be normal if she was moulting, but it's on one specific wing and she has all the feathers on the rest of her body. It looks like she probably pulled the feathers herself. I also will sometimes see her limping slightly on one leg. Some days it's worse and some days it's nonexistent. Could it maybe be nutritional? I use Nutrena Naturewise 16% layer crumbles. I don't think it's mites as she is the only chicken that seems to be affected like this. Any help is appreciated.

Her partially bald wing:

I had a Golden Comet who progressively lost feathers until she looked... awful. I added more protein by mixing starter in with their regular pellet.

Jessamine went from this:

To this:

She never really molted, either. I think maybe these super high production hybrids may just need more protein. It took several months, but she was gorgeous!

 

[FattySmough]

Oh dear...your bird looked quite ragged. I'll try getting some more protein in my girl's diet then. Did you add oyster shell to the feed when you mixed in starter to make up for the lost calcium? Or was there still enough calcium in the mix?

 

[FattySmough]

I had a Golden Comet who progressively lost feathers until she looked... awful. I added more protein by mixing starter in with their regular pellet.

Jessamine went from this:
View attachment 3203266

To this:
View attachment 3203265

She never really molted, either. I think maybe these super high production hybrids may just need more protein. It took several months, but she was gorgeous!

whoops, I forgot to quote your post.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Oh dear...your bird looked quite ragged. I'll try getting some more protein in my girl's diet then. Did you add oyster shell to the feed when you mixed in starter to make up for the lost calcium? Or was there still enough calcium in the mix?

I have a mixed flock with roosters and non-layingpullets, so I feed all flock with calcium on the side. It was enough for her.

 

[FattySmough]

I have a mixed flock with roosters and non-layingpullets, so I feed all flock with calcium on the side. It was enough for her.

I see! thank you.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Did you add oyster shell to the feed when you mixed in starter to make up for the lost calcium?

"Flock Raiser" is an even better choice than starter.. because the amino acids are a main part of what counts. The L-Lysine and Methionine. Yes, with oyster shell free choice on the side for active layers.

So called "layer" feed is formulated to meet the bare minimum nutrient requirements to keep a LIGHT bodied layer (like Leghorn) in laying condition and only for a couple years.

Since making the switch.. and seeing the difference when molt does set in.. I never switch back to layer..

I would probably wanna get my eye on her skin and make sure I'm seeing light pink not angry red below her vent and on her belly. Please note that even if it is nutritional and you fix it.. the balding may not change until those feathers are molted out.. though her overall condition may show improvement regarding brightness and sheen.

The limping is a whole other story.. Get a good look and feel of legs and the bottom of her feet.. feeling for an excess heat, swelling, scabbing. Sometimes "bumbles" can be very small. Ruling that out is a good idea.

https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext...phic_What_Is_Bumblefoot_Magnaterra_Weimer.pdf

Wow, Aunt Angus.. that's a stunning difference!

 

[Aunt Angus]

I see! thank you.

And you're sure she's not getting picked on? It really is odd it's only the one wing.

And have you checked for bumblefoot? You said she was limping. I didn't even address that. Sorry!

 

[FattySmough]

And you're sure she's not getting picked on? It really is odd it's only the one wing.

And have you checked for bumblefoot? You said she was limping. I didn't even address that. Sorry!

I know she's low on the pecking order and does get picked on more than the others, but not nearly enough to be losing all those feathers in one specific spot. I have seen my boss hen mount her and pull on her neck, but I have never seen anyone targeting her right wing. I am going to start feeding my chickens flock raiser with oyster shell on the side to help with her feather problems.

As for her limping, you guys may be onto something with bumblefoot. Does this look like bumblefoot? (Please say no!) I felt the foot and it did feel harder on the bottom than her other foot with nothing on it. I tried scraping it off and while I was able to scrape off a little dirt, I wasn't able to remove whatever it is on her foot.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I know she's low on the pecking order and does get picked on more than the others, but not nearly enough to be losing all those feathers in one specific spot. I have seen my boss hen mount her and pull on her neck, but I have never seen anyone targeting her right wing. I am going to start feeding my chickens flock raiser with oyster shell on the side to help with her feather problems.

As for her limping, you guys may be onto something with bumblefoot. Does this look like bumblefoot? (Please say no!) I felt the foot and it did feel harder on the bottom than her other foot with nothing on it. I tried scraping it off and while I was able to scrape off a little dirt, I wasn't able to remove whatever it is on her foot.

That's bumblefoot. Sorry....

They soaking her feet in an epsom salt bath for 10 - 20 min to soften it up, pick off that thing, try to squeeze out what you can, pack it with antibiotic ointment, cover with gauze, and wrap with vet wrap. Repeat every 1-2 days. It should clear up after a while.