Help troubleshoot chicken skin issue

[K10mitten]

Hello,

I just visited my dad and he has a flock of chickens and he doesn't know why they're missing feathers and their skin where the feathers are missing is hard and red. We think they don't have enough room and they are picking at each other because they are crowded under the shaded area in the hot mornings. Just a guess. We didn't see any mites or lice. Their skin is hard and red. He thinks they will molt in the fall and grow new feathers and be fine. I'm wondering if there is anything topical he could put over the featherless section to protect from the sun and from other chickens pecking. All chickens have some feathers missing except one.

They've started to let them free range so they have more room, but they have a lot of predators where they are at. I included a photo of their coop set up.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kiki]

How many chickens total and how many are roosters. You won't see mites unless you check them very well at night time. Mites live in the cracks of the coop and only eat the chickens at night.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Happens to mine every year, well for the last 50 years or more---I never done any research, but always felt it was because of the rooster riding them mainly, never had any hens without a rooster---so I do not know it they would still loose them or not---like a Molt?? I do know some breeds seem to loose more than others, but they all always grow them back before winter.

 

[K10mitten]

They had 2 roosters but they went to the soup pot since they were so mean. They did lose feathers because both roosters were all over them so often, but not this bad. I believe there are 6 hens and 1 silkie hen. The silky is perfectly healthy with all it's feathers, the other chickens don't mess with her.

 

[Kiki]

I would bet you are dealing with mites in your coop.

Your dad's coop.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We think they don't have enough room and they are picking at each other because they are crowded under the shaded area in the hot mornings.

They had 2 roosters

Looks like there are 5 hens in that space and at some point there was also 2 roosters?

I agree with @PD-Riverman The feather loss looks like treading (mating) to me. Could also be some feather picking going on as well due to not enough space. All those hens are large fowl so ideally minimum coop space should be at least 4sq.ft. per bird and run space should be 10sq.ft. per bird.

If you can add more space for them that would be great. You can also try adding a perch or two for them in the run, some loose sand/soil for a dust bathing area and hanging fruit/veggies for them to pick at.

Up their protein either by adding some eggs or tuna to their daily diet or by giving a commercial flock raiser type feed. Oyster shell should be provided free choice.

To help keep the sun off, you can add a shade cloth to the run or put aprons on the girls.

 

[K10mitten]

Thanks all for the suggestions!!! I've forwarded this all on to my dad. He has gone forward with treating for mites just in case.