Golden Comet's feathers won't grow back

[buffyschicks]

Hi y'all!

I'm new to the chicken lifestyle (these are the first I've owned!) and I've been trying to figure out what's going with my flock. I have nine hens and one rooster, all Golden Comets bought at my local Tractor Supply in early March. They did really well during the spring/summer but started looking a little bit rough and losing their feathers in the fall. Thinking it was molting, I increased their protein (Feather Fixer) rations and let them be. But it's now February and all of my hens still have naked butts! I've checked all of them and their coop for signs of mites or lice and have found nothing! I thought we might have a feather-picker, but ALL the girls are losing feathers around their butts, sides, tails, and necks. Even my rooster, Buffy, has a huge bald patch on his neck! I would appreciate any advice, since this is quite literally driving up the wall!

Thank you so much!

Kinsey

 

[sumi]

I would treat them for mites. Not all mites/lice are obvious, or show signs of their presence in their coop, or on the birds.

 

[buffyschicks]

Thank you for the advice, Sumi! What would you suggest I use? I have some Mannapro Poultry Protector spray *and* some Sevin dust.

 

[ryanhodapp]

Nutrients also makes a feather formula that may help.

 

[ryanhodapp]

Nutrients also makes a feather formula that may help.

that was suppose to be Nutrena

 

[sumi]

Thank you for the advice, Sumi! What would you suggest I use? I have some Mannapro Poultry Protector spray *and* some Sevin dust.

I'm not familiar with the spray, but I know sevin dust works as I've used a similar product for years. Give the chickens all a good dusting, then mix a generous amount of the dust with some water in a spray bottle and spray the coop, next boxes, roost bars, etc as well.

For the feather regrowth, add a splash of apple cider vinegar (ACV) to their drink water for a week, in a plastic waterer, it corrodes metal. Follow by clean water for a week, then ACV water again. The AVC boosts nutrient uptake and overall wellbeing and it should help with the feather regrowth to some extend.

 

[buffyschicks]

Thank you for the advice, ryanhodapp! The Nutrena NatureWise Feather Fixer is the feed I'm currently using, mixed with some of their organic Natures Best pellets!

 

[buffyschicks]

I'm not familiar with the spray, but I know sevin dust works as I've used a similar product for years. Give the chickens all a good dusting, then mix a generous amount of the dust with some water in a spray bottle and spray the coop, next boxes, roost bars, etc as well.

For the feather regrowth, add a splash of apple cider vinegar (ACV) to their drink water for a week, in a plastic waterer, it corrodes metal. Follow by clean water for a week, then ACV water again. The AVC boosts nutrient uptake and overall wellbeing and it should help with the feather regrowth to some extend.

I've found myself very hesitant to use something like Sevin Dust on my chickens because of the chemical additives (I've worked very hard to keep them as organic as possible!). Would something like diatomaceous earth work well at getting rid of mites, or it is useful as more of a preventative measure? I also used to put a cap of apple cider vinegar in their waterer during the summer to keep algae from growing but discontinued it when the weather got cooler. I'll definitely start adding it back in again!

Once again, thank you for helping!

 

[huntingirl]

Diatomaceous earth works just as well if not better! You can use it to get rid of mites and lice and to prevent it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm not familiar with the spray, but I know sevin dust works as I've used a similar product for years. Give the chickens all a good dusting, then mix a generous amount of the dust with some water in a spray bottle and spray the coop, next boxes, roost bars, etc as well.

For the feather regrowth, add a splash of apple cider vinegar (ACV) to their drink water for a week, in a plastic waterer, it corrodes metal. Follow by clean water for a week, then ACV water again. The AVC boosts nutrient uptake and overall wellbeing and it should help with the feather regrowth to some extend.

Quote:

Diatomaceous earth works just as well if not better! You can use it to get rid of mites and lice and to prevent it.

I would have to agree with @sumi sevin or poultry dust is going to be the most effective in ridding of lice and mites.
Once there is an infestation, DE, In My Opinion, is not going to be that effective.
While DE may be advantageous for some to use it in dust bathing areas to help in prevention (which just plain 'ol dirt will do that), it will not eradicate an infestation.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/05/diatomaceous-earth-de-benefitrisk.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html