I'm new to chicken keeping and hoping someone can offer some advice as I do not have a local vet that accepts chickens. All suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.
I have 6 hens, they are about 2 years old. They are all free-range, except at night. The area is kept clean. They do not bully each other. They eat good quality feed and no one acts sick or lethargic.
About 2-3 months ago 1 of the hens started losing her underbelly and vent area feathers. I thought maybe it was a molt but it has continued. Then I noticed some of the other girls starting to look the same. (Please see pictures). In the last 2 weeks, egg production is down and I have noticed that half of them no longer want to perch at night and want to sleep at the floor of the coop.
I checked for lice and mites and do not see any. I have tried soaking them in Epsom salt, and have now started treating for external parasites.
Has anyone experienced this or seen this in their flock? If so, how did you treat it? Am I on the right track in treating for lice/mites?
If you think this is mites or lice, any experience or suggestions on how to treat would be so appreciated.
I have 6 hens, they are about 2 years old. They are all free-range, except at night. The area is kept clean. They do not bully each other. They eat good quality feed and no one acts sick or lethargic.
About 2-3 months ago 1 of the hens started losing her underbelly and vent area feathers. I thought maybe it was a molt but it has continued. Then I noticed some of the other girls starting to look the same. (Please see pictures). In the last 2 weeks, egg production is down and I have noticed that half of them no longer want to perch at night and want to sleep at the floor of the coop.
I checked for lice and mites and do not see any. I have tried soaking them in Epsom salt, and have now started treating for external parasites.
Has anyone experienced this or seen this in their flock? If so, how did you treat it? Am I on the right track in treating for lice/mites?
If you think this is mites or lice, any experience or suggestions on how to treat would be so appreciated.
