Grimy chicken

[mickeymousears]

I've been caring for my BR for a few weeks- she is emaciated and feather picking. She's been sleeping in the house with turkey grower, meal worms, and BOSS.
I gave both my girls a bath with baby shampoo- just in case that was the cause of the feather picking- plus we are in a heat wave and both had dirty butts. My RIR feels silky smooth- SUPER soft feathers and the BR feels even worse than before, he feathers almost have a sticky feel- whatever is on them makes your hands feel gross after handling her. I'm going to rinse her off again tomorrow to see if that helps- but I rinsed them both really well the first time.

Anyways, I was wondering if the grimy feathers could be a clue as to what is wrong with her - an indication as to why she is so skinny and feather picking. Any thoughts???

 

[Chick Charm]

She may have something wrong with her. If she is given a sand bath without any moisture this may help with the sticky in a few days of bathing. But there seem to be other problems with her being so skinny. Has she been wormed lately?

 

[mickeymousears]

They were wormed probably 3 months ago; i never saw any wormy poo before or after the med.

The feather picking started in December and she has been steadily loosing weight since

 

[Chick Charm]

Well I wish I could help more. I know something is wrong just not sure what.

 

[mickeymousears]

Thank you

 

[fiberart57]

Feather eating can be a sign of the need for more protein. How old is she? Is she laying? I have read that the older the hen, the more protein is needed for egg production.

Try to increase her protein with some hamburger, scrambled eggs, or other meat products. You might consider a higher protein food.

The problem sounds nutrition-related to me.
Mary

 

[mickeymousears]

Well protein was my first thought- so she is on a turkey grower plus BOSS and meal worms. I've cut out all other snacks (trying to get hubs to stop throwing them rice). I have noticed more pins coming in and she feels a TINY bit heavier- so I do think its helped...or maybe it's my imagination, but I don't think it's hurt anything.

After I rinsed her off she was still sticky feeling AND I noticed 2 more bright red bald spots. My mission today is to dust for lice/mites. And then I'm totally out of ideas. I really REALLY hope it's not mites- she's been in the house and I have a parrot

She's 2 btw and decreased egg production, but still laying once in a awhile.