help! why are my hens losing their feathers around their bottom?

[gatorgirl]

we have no rooster, just 15 hens. Most of our leggerns (6) are losing their feathers on their "rear end". We have suspected mites, but they seem to be fine. Still eating and laying eggs. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[HorseFeathers]

I'm not sure though...

 

[willkatdawson]

bump

 

[ivan3]

Welcome! What made you suspect mites? Have you checked their rears with a loupe after they've gone to roost? Any specific `sign'?

 

[mtnhomechick]

How old are they.........could they be molting?

 

[gatorgirl]

My girls are 10months old - I was guessing about mites due to reading previous stories posted here.....haven't looked for them but will do today. I was curious about their nesting boxes also, if mites will live in them and how often should I change the shavings that are in there. I also suspected moulting but on two particular leghorns, I haven't seen any new feathers coming, just bare pink bottoms!

 

[omelette'smom]

if you look under "predator and pests" and see post for "help 2 chickens died today" and read what was said than it will tell u to use sevin dust and diamatacious earth for mites due to feather loss on their rears. check out the conversation! need to do this maybe to help out your flock!

 

[speckledhen]

Mine always get bare bums when molting. And I have several still in the middle of their molt.

 

[hcammack]

My first group of hens that are 1 year did not have bare bottoms but now my second group that just reached a year all have bare bottoms now.

Henry

 

[ozark hen]

Welcome to BYC. I agree with Speckled Hen, some of mine do the same when molting.