Help - molt or mites?

[CluckkyKrista]

Hello all you lovely chicken-loving peeps, I’m hoping for some help caring for some of my girls. I noticed feather loss on two of them several weeks ago (mostly Matilda our 1yr old copper Maran and Ella our grey Easter Egger). I thought it might be a first molt initially (it’s spring here in Aus and these girls are mostly around 15 months old). I examined them and couldn’t find any signs of mites but discovered a small number of red mites at night under the roost bar. I pulled everything out and gave the coop a good clean and treatment with Madison50. I also treated the girls with a topical spray and pestene (also in the nest boxes). The feather loss seems to be continuing and I’m concerned about the extent of the bald patches, and the red and scaly skin (pics below).

Other info that might be helpful:

• All the girls free range during the day
• I see no signs of stress, bullying or feather pulling (but also not a lot of feathers in the coop)
• None have gone broody yet
• All seem to have good energy and be eating, socialising and laying. That said, Matilda (our copper Maran and most scraggly) has slowed down her laying - only laying once every 3 or 4 days.
• Poop looks normal
• Other chickens are showing some light feather loss around their tails (last pic) but skin looks healthier and nothing like the patches on Matilda and Ella.

I’ve tried to boost protein in their diet and give them the occasional can of tuna in water. I’ve continued tracking and treating for mites but I’m wondering about depluming mites as I know these are not visible and may require different treatment.

I’d welcome any advice - especially help working out what the issue might be.

Thanks!
Krista

 

[sourland]

Some bird or birds in the flock is/are feather pecking/plucking them. Generally the culprit will be in perfect feather.

 

[CluckkyKrista]

Some bird or birds in the flock is/are feather pecking/plucking them. Generally the culprit will be in perfect feather.

Would this explain the feather loss on her belly though too?

 

[CluckkyKrista]

Hello - not sure how to provide. Bump here (and maybe my fault for posting on election night…) but I’d still love some help here… Anyone have more input?

 

[Luvdpugs]

Hello - not sure how to provide. Bump here (and maybe my fault for posting on election night…) but I’d still love some help here… Anyone have more input?

. My hen has the same issue as yours and I've treated for mites even though I don't see them, even in coop. All wood areas and every chicken treated, with no issue.
I was told to use Elector PCP for mites. Before that, Ivermectin scraped on the skin and orally, permethrins, even miconazole creme for yeast. No luck.

 

[CCsGarden]

Hello - not sure how to provide. Bump here (and maybe my fault for posting on election night…) but I’d still love some help here… Anyone have more input?

So sorry no one ever answered you! It looks like they were molting. How are they now? Did you see mites on them?

Again, Sorry no one got back to you! I didn't realize it till now!