Healthy chicken with red mid tummy region

[Bwock]

I’ve got 2 one year old Australorps. They both look healthy and are eating well etc. One of them has developed a red rubber area on her mid region ( where she sits on the nest almost). I’ve treated the birds for mites, put sulphur round the cage but so far it just keeps getting worse! There have been no changes to the birds routines and they free range all day. Any help appreciated

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Have you actually seen mites or lice crawling on her body? How does the red area feel? It might be feather picking by the other chickens, or she could be picking herself. In the US, permethrin garden dust can be found at TSC and most feed stores, and can be used in a sock to dust the chickens with lice or mites.

 

[Bwock]

Thank you for replying. I have seen a few white mites in the cage but none on her body. I wondered about the pecking but not sure how to stop this? Thanks for the advice about dusting with a sock - will see if I can get that here. It feels raw and irritated almost like a rash

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I agree with @Eggcessive. It seems like feather-picking, by herself or other chickens. I doubt hens go broody at this point in the year...But if so, she could be picking that area to create a brood patch for her eggs maybe.

 

[Bwock]

Thank you for your response. It’s summer time here so maybe she’s responding to the heat? Is there anything I can do to stop feather picking?

 

[CombNWattles]

Chicken skin turns red when it’s bare. As to why she’s bare, it looks like a broody patch to me.

 

[aart]

It looks like she may have an oversized crop, does it empty overnight?
Might have to put her in a crate overnight with no food or water to check the crop function. Should be fullish at night and pretty much empty in the morning.

A sour or sluggish crop can rub on the roost and cause feather loss/irritated skin.

I have seen a few white mites in the cage but none on her body.

Unless you are positive she has poultry mites, it's best not to treat for them.
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Look fast, they will scatter quickly once the feathers are parted and the light hits them.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

It’s summer time here

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
Oh, and....Welcome to BYC!

 

[Eggcessive]

She might be picking out her own feathers on her crop area, if her crop is not functioning well. Check her crop first thin each morning to see if it is emptying overnight. If not, then have a look at this article on crop problems:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Bwock]

Chicken skin turns red when it’s bare. As to why she’s bare, it looks like a broody patch to me.
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Thank you for your reply