HELP 2hens injured/sick?

[Granny Hatchet]

I dont have experience w/ rats. I guess they could steal feathers to line their nests. Have you seen mice or rats ? Mice wont stay where rats are. I would for sure check the bottom of their feet for any black places like was mentioned. It could be bumble foot but to me it looks like a small or inexperienced predator got to them. Check them for mites and lice as well.

 

[Chickmom10215]

I dont have experience w/ rats. I guess they could steal feathers to line their nests. Have you seen mice or rats ? Mice wont stay where rats are. I would for sure check the bottom of their feet for any black places like was mentioned. It could be bumble foot but to me it looks like a small or inexperienced predator got to them. Check them for mites and lice as well.

I haven’t seen any in/around my coop. But there are for sure pack rats in my area. What would you qualify as a small/inexperienced predator? My coop and run is locked up pretty tight a rat/snake would be the only thing that could possibly get in. A snake would eat them lol not steal feathers

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Lets see if we can find out. @Eggcessive ? Can you help?

 

[Shezadandy]

I haven’t seen any in/around my coop. But there are for sure pack rats in my area. What would you qualify as a small/inexperienced predator? My coop and run is locked up pretty tight a rat/snake would be the only thing that could possibly get in. A snake would eat them lol not steal feathers

A loose dog (loner coyote) or a hawk diving on them causing them to panic, hitting all surfaces of the coop and run - it doesn't take actual predator contact to injure or kill. I'm willing to bet that once your roo is relocated, the feather issues won't come back. They'll need to molt in the meantime to get their feathers, but without a roo to jump on them, they'll restore their good looks. A mite check after dark - look under wings, by the vent etc is always a good idea.

 

[Villainess]

I could be wrong, but this loss of feathering looks an awful lot like one of mine did after my husband caught a duo of raccoons attempting to get themselves a snack out our chicken tractor.

The one raccoon took off with one of my guineas, the other had been in the process of grabbing one of my RIR’s when my husband went to investigate the commotion. It only managed to grab a handful of feathers before being disturbed, but it looked exactly like that.

I would definitely take measures to make your coop/run as predator proof as possible. I learned the hard way after losing first a duckling, then a guinea keet Best of luck to you.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

What Killed My Chicken - How to Know - Abundant Permaculture

https://abundantpermaculture.com › what_killed_my_chicken

 

[Eggcessive]

Packrats, from what I read, do not eat meat. I don’t know if they would take feathers though. Is there any way something could have entered your coop at night? Are they locked up tight? Do they have plenty of room inside the coop?

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Thanks Eggcessive

 

[Chickmom10215]

I think I have solved it! I just relocated my roo to my friend. As soon as he entered with all of the hens he immediately tried to make with at least 3 of them, so that’s the feather issue. The limping is from a recent coyote at the coop. He didn’t enter the run but he was on the outside and scared the crap out of my gals. They were running, jumping,bumping into everything. I will keep you all updated in the coming weeks to let you know if the feathers come back! If not then back to square one.

 

[Eggcessive]

Glad to hear that you figured it out. It did look like overmating feather loss.