Hello, I need your help.
Starting in February, I noticed one of my chickens had a bald spot with damaged feathers on her back (see first photo). Initially I thought it was due to pecking from other hens. I put a saddle on her to deter further damage, and after two months, it helped the skin heal but no new feathers grew in.
Then I noticed a different hen was developed bald spots in her sides, above her legs. The skin seemed fine, and I never saw any broken or damaged feathers, but again I thought it could be due to pecking or molting.
Now I’ve noticed that most of my 7 chickens have odd looking feathers. Some appear like the ends have been cut off, my Legbars have their crest feathers missing, and they’re all missing patches of feathers around their tail feathers and on their necks.
The hen with bald patches above her legs is in the worst condition — she now has what looks like feathers that have been over preened? (I don’t know how to describe what I’m seeing so please see the last two photos.)
After extensive googling I’m thinking it could be a severe mite infestation. My chickens are only one year old, so molting is unlikely. Have any of you seen this before or know the cause? I ordered elector psp last night and plan on doing a full deep clean and mite treatment with the elector psp, but any other advice is appreciated.
Starting in February, I noticed one of my chickens had a bald spot with damaged feathers on her back (see first photo). Initially I thought it was due to pecking from other hens. I put a saddle on her to deter further damage, and after two months, it helped the skin heal but no new feathers grew in.
Then I noticed a different hen was developed bald spots in her sides, above her legs. The skin seemed fine, and I never saw any broken or damaged feathers, but again I thought it could be due to pecking or molting.
Now I’ve noticed that most of my 7 chickens have odd looking feathers. Some appear like the ends have been cut off, my Legbars have their crest feathers missing, and they’re all missing patches of feathers around their tail feathers and on their necks.
The hen with bald patches above her legs is in the worst condition — she now has what looks like feathers that have been over preened? (I don’t know how to describe what I’m seeing so please see the last two photos.)
After extensive googling I’m thinking it could be a severe mite infestation. My chickens are only one year old, so molting is unlikely. Have any of you seen this before or know the cause? I ordered elector psp last night and plan on doing a full deep clean and mite treatment with the elector psp, but any other advice is appreciated.
