Help! Chicken losing feather, but not molting and no external parasites

[Sahlinm2]

I have racked my brain on what's going on with my 2 year old araucana (pictures included). About a month ago she started losing feathers (and I noticed many of her remaining feathers were brittle) but was still laying normally, running around with the other chickens, and eating and drinking normally. I started feeding her a hard boiled egg every day to increase her protein, but it didn't seem to help so I dewormed her about a week ago with fenbendazole. This morning she didn't come out of the coop, and I found her inside the coop shaking. Her feathers are now just coming out at the touch and it's clear she's lost quite a bit of weight. Does anyone know what could be wrong?? I keep checking her poop and there's no sign of worms or parasites, although it is a bit foamy/liquidy. I also continually check her for mites and lice, but she doesn't have either. I feel like I've tried everything! Thank you in advance!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sorry you are having trouble.

Can you put your general location in your profile so other won't have to ask before they can make more valid suggestions?

Her feathers do look like hell, and she definitely needs to molt.

What else do you regularly feed aside from the egg, including treats and supplements?

The thing about worming... is not all meds treat all worms... AND more than that ONLY round worms and tape worms can be seen in droppings. All other will stay inside the digestive tract and only their microscopic oocysts (eggs) will pass, meaning you WILL never see them with the naked eye. I am not familiar with which treats what. But I do know that worming an already suffering bird can sometimes push them over the edge as it can be taxing on the system. If worming was her issue, I would have expected to see some pass after medicating.

Regarding mites/lice... There are types that don't live on the bird and only come out from wood cracks to feed on them. There is another type called depluming that is microscopic and lives inside the feather shaft, so you will never see those during a standard inspection either.

You say when you noticed all the feathers she was still laying... when was the last egg from her? Any eye change or labored breathing sounds? Can you feel her crop? Is it empty, full, squishy, hard, any sour smell? How has your weather been? How does the area around her vent look? When you found her in the coop... was she on roost, in a box, laying on the ground, standing up? Sorry so many questions... just looking for clues.

 

[True Patriot]

I agree with all the questions @EggSighted4Life posted. Fenbendazole is a broad spectrum wormer but will not necessarily treat other parasites. You say you treated her, did the rest get the same. You need to do the entire flock when treating parasitic infection to prevent re-infestation from others. If the issue is external it most likely won't help. What dosing did you use? What treatment regimen did you follow? Too little or too much can have adverse effects. A broad spectrum external treatment may help if the issue is parasitic. But without confirmation at this point it may put your bird at more risk than help. How many chickens are in the flock? Look closely to see if there's any showing symptoms, this may help to diagnose or at least eliminate possible causes. The chance of them living together and not passing parasites to each other is slim. If possible, separate her from the flock so she can be monitored. Watch her food intake and poop. It would probably be a good idea to have a fecal test run by a vet.

 

[Sahlinm2]

Sorry you are having trouble.

Can you put your general location in your profile so other won't have to ask before they can make more valid suggestions?

Her feathers do look like hell, and she definitely needs to molt.

What else do you regularly feed aside from the egg, including treats and supplements?

The thing about worming... is not all meds treat all worms... AND more than that ONLY round worms and tape worms can be seen in droppings. All other will stay inside the digestive tract and only their microscopic oocysts (eggs) will pass, meaning you WILL never see them with the naked eye. I am not familiar with which treats what. But I do know that worming an already suffering bird can sometimes push them over the edge as it can be taxing on the system. If worming was her issue, I would have expected to see some pass after medicating.

Regarding mites/lice... There are types that don't live on the bird and only come out from wood cracks to feed on them. There is another type called depluming that is microscopic and lives inside the feather shaft, so you will never see those during a standard inspection either.

You say when you noticed all the feathers she was still laying... when was the last egg from her? Any eye change or labored breathing sounds? Can you feel her crop? Is it empty, full, squishy, hard, any sour smell? How has your weather been? How does the area around her vent look? When you found her in the coop... was she on roost, in a box, laying on the ground, standing up? Sorry so many questions... just looking for clues.

Thank you for your quick reply! We live near Denver, CO. The chickens only receive layer pellets and scratch grains. They do free range every day as well. Hmm I wonder about the mites/lice as well, but none of the other birds are looking like she is. All of their plumage is abundant and healthy. The last egg we received was about a week ago. Her crop feels totally normal (no sour crop here!). Weather has been hotter than normal (highs in the low 90s, lows in the 50s) with some occasion rain.

When I found her in the coop, she was standing on the nesting box. She does not seem lethargic. It's all very strange since she's the only one with any of these symptoms. Thank you for all of your help!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The chickens only receive layer pellets and scratch grains

What is the ratio of these two? Mixed or separately?

She needs more (animal) protein. Feathers are made of 90% protein and it's amino acids. Our formulated feeds like "layer" have them added in as well as additional vitamins and minerals that scratch or corn do not. SO keep those to LESS than 10% of the total diet. I would start by offering some scrambled or boiled smashed whole egg. Maybe tuna another day.

I might consider switching to a grower or flock raiser with 18-20% protein. It will have less calcium but offering oyster shell on the side free choice works well. Let me explain why I am suggest it.. in addition to the whole feather protein thing I already mentioned, 16% protein in most layer feeds is the minimum needed to sustain a light bodied layer like leghorn. Dual purpose birds like Rock, Reds, Wyandotte, Orps or others will do better at the higher range. But there is more... too much calcium fed long term to those not in lay like molting, juveniles, broody's and such *can* (doesn't mean will) cause gout or even kidney failure. It is most likely in those who are genetically predisposed AND fed excess treats. Since I do have girls that go through molt and roosters and such that don't need the added calcium of layer I just use Flock Raiser and put OS on the side. While those who don't need it will sample they won't HAVE to consume it in order to eat. The higher protein level brings my flock through molt just a bit easier cuz they go in with a bit of reserve and come out a tad faster returning to lay than when I used layer. Sorry so much info.

Has she previously molted that you know of? If not, old feathers are bound to be worn. Have you always had her?

It is best to check for parasites after dark using a flashlight. It's surprising what a difference this can reveal. Even though other birds don't look the same it is usually best to treat all instead of just one. They have different immune systems and things will appear first in the weakest. I don't catch everything my family does for the same reason. Plus different habits... for chickens will include their favorite places to hand out or how often they dirt bathe. Permethrin spray is the best choice in the US IMO but only IF needed.

Maybe she was waiting her turn in the box? Maybe she is being bullied? Do you have a rooster?

No rudeness intended here... that little beauty is an Easter Egger. They are often sold under incorrect labels and meant to be a representation of the breed. They are still some of my favorite birds! And 1 has even made pet status here, out of the VERY few that ever will.

 

[aart]

I'm guessing she is molting, some birds continue to lay during a molt.

so I dewormed her about a week ago with fenbendazole.

@casportpony isn't there something about giving this med during a molt that can deform feather growth?

 

[Sahlinm2]

I agree with all the questions @EggSighted4Life posted. Fenbendazole is a broad spectrum wormer but will not necessarily treat other parasites. You say you treated her, did the rest get the same. You need to do the entire flock when treating parasitic infection to prevent re-infestation from others. If the issue is external it most likely won't help. What dosing did you use? What treatment regimen did you follow? Too little or too much can have adverse effects. A broad spectrum external treatment may help if the issue is parasitic. But without confirmation at this point it may put your bird at more risk than help. How many chickens are in the flock? Look closely to see if there's any showing symptoms, this may help to diagnose or at least eliminate possible causes. The chance of them living together and not passing parasites to each other is slim. If possible, separate her from the flock so she can be monitored. Watch her food intake and poop. It would probably be a good idea to have a fecal test run by a vet.

Thank you for your quick reply! I used

I agree with all the questions @EggSighted4Life posted. Fenbendazole is a broad spectrum wormer but will not necessarily treat other parasites. You say you treated her, did the rest get the same. You need to do the entire flock when treating parasitic infection to prevent re-infestation from others. If the issue is external it most likely won't help. What dosing did you use? What treatment regimen did you follow? Too little or too much can have adverse effects. A broad spectrum external treatment may help if the issue is parasitic. But without confirmation at this point it may put your bird at more risk than help. How many chickens are in the flock? Look closely to see if there's any showing symptoms, this may help to diagnose or at least eliminate possible causes. The chance of them living together and not passing parasites to each other is slim. If possible, separate her from the flock so she can be monitored. Watch her food intake and poop. It would probably be a good idea to have a fecal test run by a vet.

Hi there. Thanks for your quick reply. I treated her with a pea size dose, but did not treat the other flock members. I will do that today. There are 9 total. And no one else is exhibiting any sort of symptoms. I think treating the entire flock is a great idea, so I'll start there. Thanks again!

 

[Sahlinm2]

I'm guessing she is molting, some birds continue to lay during a molt.

@casportpony isn't there something about giving this med during a molt that can deform feather growth?

Hello! Do you happen to know how long a molt lasts? I also don't see any pin feathers. Is that a bad sign? Thank you!

 

[Sahlinm2]

What is the ratio of these two? Mixed or separately?

She needs more (animal) protein. Feathers are made of 90% protein and it's amino acids. Our formulated feeds like "layer" have them added in as well as additional vitamins and minerals that scratch or corn do not. SO keep those to LESS than 10% of the total diet. I would start by offering some scrambled or boiled smashed whole egg. Maybe tuna another day.

I might consider switching to a grower or flock raiser with 18-20% protein. It will have less calcium but offering oyster shell on the side free choice works well. Let me explain why I am suggest it.. in addition to the whole feather protein thing I already mentioned, 16% protein in most layer feeds is the minimum needed to sustain a light bodied layer like leghorn. Dual purpose birds like Rock, Reds, Wyandotte, Orps or others will do better at the higher range. But there is more... too much calcium fed long term to those not in lay like molting, juveniles, broody's and such *can* (doesn't mean will) cause gout or even kidney failure. It is most likely in those who are genetically predisposed AND fed excess treats. Since I do have girls that go through molt and roosters and such that don't need the added calcium of layer I just use Flock Raiser and put OS on the side. While those who don't need it will sample they won't HAVE to consume it in order to eat. The higher protein level brings my flock through molt just a bit easier cuz they go in with a bit of reserve and come out a tad faster returning to lay than when I used layer. Sorry so much info.

Has she previously molted that you know of? If not, old feathers are bound to be worn. Have you always had her?

It is best to check for parasites after dark using a flashlight. It's surprising what a difference this can reveal. Even though other birds don't look the same it is usually best to treat all instead of just one. They have different immune systems and things will appear first in the weakest. I don't catch everything my family does for the same reason. Plus different habits... for chickens will include their favorite places to hand out or how often they dirt bathe. Permethrin spray is the best choice in the US IMO but only IF needed.

Maybe she was waiting her turn in the box? Maybe she is being bullied? Do you have a rooster?

No rudeness intended here... that little beauty is an Easter Egger. They are often sold under incorrect labels and meant to be a representation of the breed. They are still some of my favorite birds! And 1 has even made pet status here, out of the VERY few that ever will.

Hi again! I got a high protein feed and oyster shells yesterday and plan to treat the entire flock for parasites today.

I checked her out after dark last night and no external parasites. Also no roosters and she's the top of the pecking order, so I doubt any bullying is going on.

I have had her her entire life and she has never molted. She is prob due! But I don't see any pin feathers. Is that a problem? Thanks for all.your help!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

@azygous I know you have had non molters before, suggestions or thoughts here??