Finding more feathers from one bird

[HennyPenny44]

Hi everyone. I have 5 chickens, all different breeds, with different colored feathers. They’re ten weeks old and seem to get along quite well. Is it normal to find more feathers from one particular bird on the coop and run floor? I’ve been finding them since she was in the brooder box in my garage several weeks ago. My Easter Egger, Peggy, seems to be losing them and the last few I found seem really thick at the base. I thought moulting occurs in the autumn. I haven’t seen anyone picking her feathers out although I can’t watch them all day, of course. She’s a big, poofy chicken too with no visible bare spots. She’s sort of the loner of the group and is always following me to see what I’m doing and pecking my clothes from behind. Such a sweet girl. Any input on what it might be?

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

One of mine is doing a partial molt right now. Pile of feathers under the roost, missing tail feathers, but no bare spots.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

My duck is molting!
Don't rule it out yet.

More importantly, it could be something such as mites. Many chickens will pluck their poor selves bald over mites. I have several bare rumps here, took a long time to figure it out.

Maybe unconventional, but I would submerge the entire body in water, give some gentle swishes and scrubs, then remove. You'll be able to see potential bald spots that were previously hidden (common on fluffy chickens.) This could help you spot mites, fleas, etc or sores.
Of course, if it is cold where you are, make sure the bird gets dried.

 

[centrarchid]

The birds are immature so seasonal molt does not apply. They are now dropping larger feathers at a rate they cannot consume as readily. Molting activity prior to this time likely not as obvious because they consumed the feathers so rapidly.

 

[HennyPenny44]

My duck is molting!
Don't rule it out yet.

More importantly, it could be something such as mites. Many chickens will pluck their poor selves bald over mites. I have several bare rumps here, took a long time to figure it out.

Maybe unconventional, but I would submerge the entire body in water, give some gentle swishes and scrubs, then remove. You'll be able to see potential bald spots that were previously hidden (common on fluffy chickens.) This could help you spot mites, fleas, etc or sores.
Of course, if it is cold where you are, make sure the bird gets dried.

I'd like to examine her first. She likes to be held depending on her mood so it might be tricky. Where do mites typically congregate in large numbers on a chicken?

 

[DellaMyDarling]

I'd like to examine her first. She likes to be held depending on her mood so it might be tricky. Where do mites typically congregate in large numbers on a chicken?

They say to check neck, under wings, and around vent.

I have yet to find anything under my chickens wings or neck, I find the evil creepers around the vent/under tail and sometimes around the crop usually.
If a very mild case, you might only see some droppings, or lice eggs, etc. One of my girls still seems to have no mites, but has telltale bites and irritation around the vent so she gets treated just the same. I armed myself with gross Google pics before checking the birds so I knew what to look for.

 

[HennyPenny44]

They say to check neck, under wings, and around vent.

I have yet to find anything under my chickens wings or neck, I find the evil creepers around the vent/under tail and sometimes around the crop usually.
If a very mild case, you might only see some droppings, or lice eggs, etc. One of my girls still seems to have no mites, but has telltale bites and irritation around the vent so she gets treated just the same. I armed myself with gross Google pics before checking the birds so I knew what to look for.

Thank you for the info. Ok, I will check tomorrow if she lets me. I didn't have much luck this evening. I've been giving them Diatomaceous Earth in their dust bath and on the coop floor so I thought it should be enough to prevent mite infestations.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

From what I've read on this site, there is reportedly 0 studies confirming the efficacy of DE.

I can tell you for sure that it did not rid my first apartment of bugs, but it did clog my Dyson beyond repair.

If you're a fan of dust products, there is a few Permethrin dusts to be had. If going just as a preventative, you could try the natural version Pyrethrin dusts. Not sure if there is a Spinosid dust product available, but likely.
I think I'm a wet product fan myself.

 

[Ebony Rose]

As your chicks grow rapidly, they're pretty much in a constant state of molting for the first couple of months.

 

[centrarchid]

As your chicks grow rapidly, they're pretty much in a constant state of molting for the first couple of months.

Mine are that way for closer to 6 months.