Hello!

[redneckchick01]

Hello! I`m a girl located somewhere in the Sunshine State. I own four chickens in total; two Rhode Island Reds, and two Ameraucanas. They`re a year and a half, coming up on two years. While they were bred for regular laying hens, I am beginning to raise them for youth fairs I`m involved in with my FFA chapter. Eenie is easily coming up on the average max weight of a female Rhode Island Red [6.5 pounds]. She is the dominant one of my flock, and eats the most. While I`m here, I need some help.






These aren`t the best quality, I know. However, I need to know if anyone can help me with this. At first we thought they were molting, but they`ve been molting for awhile now. The Ameraucana`s have a little bit of a bald spot, but not as much as these guys do [they mainly have grey/blue fluff]. Can anyone tell me what this is? I checked for lice, nothing sticks like lice normally does. They have white specks, but I would think lice sticks like it does to human hair.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

Hello

and Welcome to BYC!
Hmmm...... I'm not very sure how that would happen if it isn't lice or mites. You should post in the Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures forum for more help!

 

[redneckchick01]

I`ve posted there. No one seems to know. Unless lice on chickens doesn`t stick. I`m not sure about mites. Which would be the best route? Take them to the vet, or just buy supplements that`ll vaccinate them for mites, fleas, ticks, and lice?

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

Any chance she is broody and has been plucking feathers to line the nest? You also mentioned that she is pretty hefty and eats the most. Any chance she's rubbing/dragging her underside when she walks? Just trying to think of other options if the feather loss is not due to lice or mites.

 

[redneckchick01]

She`s only been broody once. I sat and watched her tend to her egg. I don`t have a rooster, and they`re pretty good about upping and leaving once I come in and grab the egg from under them. I haven`t seen her pluck any of her own feathers. I know she`ll pluck the others, but she usually eats them. All of them do. I haven`t seen her drag her underside at all. Should I go ahead and get some supplements that treats lice, mites, fleas?

 

[drumstick diva]

Usually chickens eat feathers because they need more protein in their diet. What are you feeding your birds?

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us! Looks like a breast blister, my birds get that sometimes.

 

[redneckchick01]

@drumstick diva. Layena crumbles and Purina scratch grain. I don't have my record book. I don't know exactly. I also started feeding them scrambled eggs
@bantamfan4life. Breast blister? It's not even on their breast :/

 

[Chicken Girl1]

It may just be her pulling them out or she's still molting... I'm not sure. You could take a precaution and read this article about lice and mites: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mites-lice-treatment-and-prevention. My hen once lost all of her head feathers and didn't grow them back until 1 1/2 years later, and there was the same white stuff.