Help!!!

[Mountainmamaof4]

I posted a couple of weeks ago concerned with my flock having mites. I am leaning more to feather pecking but I am still not 100% convinced that it’s not mites. This is my first time having chickens and so I honestly can’t say it’s not mites. I have inspected them, in fact I inspect a few everyday because I am just at a loss as to what to do. I have reached out to my community to see if there is a “chicken expert” around that would be willing to come take a look at my flock but have had no luck. We are currently finishing up their new and larger coop and run which I hope will eliminate the feather pecking but I was also wondering if I should just error on the side of caution and treat them for mites before moving them. If they don’t have mites and I treat them will it harm them? Any help and/or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[coach723]

I read your other post, and I agree with what advice you were given there. It looks like mostly rooster/cockerel damage with some feather picking to go with it. They probably won't look a lot better until they molt. Since the usual treatment for mites is permethrin I wouldn't go down that road unless you really have mites. It's a lot of work and unless you've identified mites, I just wouldn't. Have you inspected them at night for mites? Some mites only come out after dark while they are roosting, you need to take them off the roost and inspect with a flashlight. You can also put some very sticky tape, sticky side up, on the ends of roosts and see if anything is stuck to them in the morning. I think a bigger coop, more space, and some time is probably your fix to this. Hen saddles can help protect their backs until they fill in with feathers. Your cockerel is doing what his hormones are telling him too, but sometimes it's too much for the hens.
http://www.hensaver.com/hen-apron-saddle-styles-colors-prices.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/free-chicken-apron-saddle-pattern.424354/#post-5201261