Frazzled Feathers on Back?

[ClareScifi]

For a while now, I have noticed that my almost 10-month-old rooster has a ratty, frazzled look to his tail feathers and those on his back. They almost look like the equivalent of split ends. When he was younger his feathers were shiny, intact, and beautiful, but now he looks rather frumpy and disheveled. I also noticed today that a few feathers seem to be missing under his chin and on his neck.

He seems happy, and he is on a good diet.

I have seen no signs of lice nor mites nor parasites, nor worms, and I hate to treat him, not knowing what it could be.

Could he have gotten the frazzled look from taking dust baths in sand?

I use diatomaceous earth in the coop, on the perches, and in their dust bath areas.

What is everyone's best guess as to what might be causing this? A couple of the hens also have a frazzled look to the feathers on their backs, but they don't appear to be missing any neck feathers. They are half leghorn like he is.

I don't notice as frazzled a look to the Barred Rock nor the Silver-Laced Sebright.

 

[Snooglerat]

could you post a pic?

 

[ClareScifi]

I wish I could post a pic, but the camera is out of state.

The feathers on his back aren't smooth and glossy like they used to be. They look rough and worn, chawed on. And his tail feathers are tattered and torn looking. I have no other roosters. He doesn't get into fights.

I don't know if it's my imagination after researching possible causes, but I could swear I'm feeling bites on my arm. But it could be psychological, I guess.

Do we know of any pictures I could look at, showing how mites can affect the look of feathers?

 

[ClareScifi]

The feathers look kind of like the feathers on the white chicken in this link:

http://communitychickens.blogspot.com/2012/05/mites.html

 

[ClareScifi]

I just hate to use the pesticide type products, but I've heard that the the Pyrethrin based ones are best, because they are made from a plant we like to grow in our gardens-- chrysanthemums? Do you think that is true? I wish I could make an organic form of it out of my own chrysanthemum. Do you know of any photos of chickens who have the various maladies so I could compare how their feathers look to the feathers on my chickens? Anyone have your own photos, perhaps?