HELP 2hens injured/sick?

[Chickmom10215]

I have two barred rock hens, one Cochin bantam hen, and one bantam rooster.
Pictures attached.
They have always pecked each other and had a minimal bald patch on their backs. But NOTHING like this. The two barred rock have significant feather loss. Back,wings,necks, legs, and chest. One was bleeding from broken feathers. Both have limps. Both are eating and drinking. One refuses to stand, I’m assuming it’s because of her limp. She also seems to be sore, which is understandable. I’d be sore too if my hair was ripped out in huge patches.I have them on “lock down” to not further their limp/injury. I can’t imagine them doing this to each other or giving each other limps? They aren’t going after each other and seem cordial.
My Cochin bantam has a tiny bald patch on the back of her neck otherwise seems happy and healthy. My rooster is completely fine but is a bit more protective than usual. I live in a slightly rural area of AZ. We have a TON of pack rats.. I think it may be pack rats sneaking in at night and stealing feathers, because the feather loss was so significant in such a small amount of time. But how would they be limping from that? No bite wounds. I’m worried about my gals.

HELP! Any suggestions/ideas/thoughts?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

How old are they?

 

[Chickmom10215]

About 14months

 

[Shezadandy]

Could be their first molt... pattern wise, though, it looks like "rooster's favorite hens". It could be because they're the larger hens that he prefers them.

Hen saddles and/or aprons will help protect them.

I like the Hen Saver brand myself - very durable and it still gives the rooster good traction. Some of the others made of the cute patterns work fine if you have a pecking issue, but can be slippery and cause damage on the sides if the roo can't get a grip, slips, and tries to catch himself.

I would suggest a saddle with "wing protection" for the one with the top of the wing feather loss. All my barred rocks have fit into their "medium" --- if you get a size too big, it will rub out their tails (ask me how I figured that out...).

Also, I wouldn't recommend the 'double strap' or whatever that goes around the front of their necks - just the regular kind that you slip over their wings.

Here's the standard variety link:
https://crazy-k-farm.myshopify.com/collections/poultry/products/hen-saver-hen-apron-saddle

Here's the "custom" which adds $2 for the "shoulder protections" - again, I would stay with "single strap" if you decide to use Hen Savers.
https://crazy-k-farm.myshopify.com/...ts/products/custom-hen-saver-hen-apron-saddle

 

[Chickmom10215]

Thank you! Any ideas what the limps are from?

 

[Chickmom10215]

Could be their first molt... pattern wise, though, it looks like "rooster's favorite hens". It could be because they're the larger hens that he prefers them.

Hen saddles and/or aprons will help protect them.

I like the Hen Saver brand myself - very durable and it still gives the rooster good traction. Some of the others made of the cute patterns work fine if you have a pecking issue, but can be slippery and cause damage on the sides if the roo can't get a grip, slips, and tries to catch himself.

I would suggest a saddle with "wing protection" for the one with the top of the wing feather loss. All my barred rocks have fit into their "medium" --- if you get a size too big, it will rub out their tails (ask me how I figured that out...).

Also, I wouldn't recommend the 'double strap' or whatever that goes around the front of their necks - just the regular kind that you slip over their wings.

Here's the standard variety link:
https://crazy-k-farm.myshopify.com/collections/poultry/products/hen-saver-hen-apron-saddle

Here's the "custom" which adds $2 for the "shoulder protections" - again, I would stay with "single strap" if you decide to use Hen Savers.
https://crazy-k-farm.myshopify.com/...ts/products/custom-hen-saver-hen-apron-saddle

Could a rooster make them BOTH limp within a day? Also, would he really cause that much damage, he’s only a little Bantam? The egg production has been way down so I assumed it was because of molting but then I noticed the bleeding broken feathers on the wings and the limp,making me a bit more concerned.

 

[Shezadandy]

Could a rooster make them BOTH limp within a day? Also, would he really cause that much damage, he’s only a little Bantam? The egg production has been way down so I assumed it was because of molting but then I noticed the bleeding broken feathers on the wings and the limp,making me a bit more concerned.

The limping is really odd- have you checked the bottom of their feet for any black scabs/spots? It's not impossible that there's been a disturbance and they panicked and ran into things - a stray dog or something else could have made them scatter. One time a hen panicked, got her nail stuck in hardware cloth and removed about half the nail - because of the neighbor had zero control over his maniac dog.

Remember a chicken's skin isn't very thick. Once you get all those feathers missing and it's exposed skin, it will tear very easily.

My smaller roo has the hardest time trying to do his thing because of course he wants to grab the back of their heads so they lift their tails (sorry for the graphic nature of that comment, it's just how it works) … but being smaller, with the bigger hens he's on there a lot longer trying to figure out how to … reach. Sorry again.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

That doesnt look like molt to me. Is your coop predator proof ?

 

[Chickmom10215]

The limping is really odd- have you checked the bottom of their feet for any black scabs/spots? It's not impossible that there's been a disturbance and they panicked and ran into things - a stray dog or something else could have made them scatter. One time a hen panicked, got her nail stuck in hardware cloth and removed about half the nail - because of the neighbor had zero control over his maniac dog.

Remember a chicken's skin isn't very thick. Once you get all those feathers missing and it's exposed skin, it will tear very easily.

My smaller roo has the hardest time trying to do his thing because of course he wants to grab the back of their heads so they lift their tails (sorry for the graphic nature of that comment, it's just how it works) … but being smaller, with the bigger hens he's on there a lot longer trying to figure out how to … reach. Sorry again.

No worries, wasn’t offended! I did check one hens feet and didn’t see anything strange, I’ll double check. Also, I think my little roo may be relocating to my friends house (he takes all the chickens I don’t want, I’ve given him two Roos and two aggressive problem hens) I don’t really have a purpose for him because I don’t want chicks right now or any time soon. He seems to be causing more issues than good. For one he’s balding my gals, making them bleed and two he wakes me up at 5:00 EVERY MORNING. So I think he may have seen his last days in my coop..

 

[Chickmom10215]

That doesnt look like molt to me. Is your coop predator proof ?

Yes. The only thing I can think of is a rat getting in. What are your thoughts on that?