Hen losing belly feathers...Mites????

[Jessicx]

I have a 1.5 year old red sex link that was acting VERY weird today. I went out to give corn, and she was puffed up and squatting, like she couldn't poop. When I picked her up to investigate, she finally laid a soft-shelled egg, but immediately felt better. During the investigation, I found that her belly feathers (between the legs, really) were missing, and her skin is red. She is not broody, and based on the location and lack of feather loss in other areas, I doubt she is molting. I was unable to investigate the area due to the location, so I'm unsure if it's mites. Should I treat for mites just in case, and if so, what with? Is there anything else it could be? Thanks for the help!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Most hens have feathers missing from the belly due to sitting in the nest on eggs so that's normal. Laying shell less eggs happen more often when hens are starting up and when they are shutting down like many are doing this time of year to molt. So I wouldn't worry about either issue.

 

[Kiki]

I have a 1.5 year old red sex link that was acting VERY weird today. I went out to give corn, and she was puffed up and squatting, like she couldn't poop. When I picked her up to investigate, she finally laid a soft-shelled egg, but immediately felt better. During the investigation, I found that her belly feathers (between the legs, really) were missing, and her skin is red. She is not broody, and based on the location and lack of feather loss in other areas, I doubt she is molting. I was unable to investigate the area due to the location, so I'm unsure if it's mites. Should I treat for mites just in case, and if so, what with? Is there anything else it could be? Thanks for the help!!

Do you feed corn often?

 

[Jessicx]

Do you feed corn often?

As a matter of fact, I do.

 

[Jessicx]

Most hens have feathers missing from the belly due to sitting in the nest on eggs so that's normal. Laying shell less eggs happen more often when hens are starting up and when they are shutting down like many are doing this time of year to molt. So I wouldn't worry about either issue.

Thank you!!!!

 

[Kiki]

Please read through this:
Feeding corn is just like feeding them chips.
http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I feed whole corn, and scratch. I compensate by feeding a higher protein ration. Corns and scratch help to get chickens using their natural instincts to scratch and find food which can keep them mentally and physically healthy.

 

[Jessicx]

Please read through this:
Feeding corn is just like feeding them chips.
http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production

So, they won't eat scratch grains. I typically feed one can of whole kernel corn to my 11 chickens every three days or so. They finish it in less than 5 minutes. I don't believe it's enough to affect their nutrition in such a profound way. With that said, they eat a lot of forage material, as they are free range. They are also offered a well rounded layer feed with oyster shell. I do feed them their eggs, because their calcium levels tend to drop in this high Texas heat and it's the only way I can get them to eat the shells. This high protein is the only thing I can see that might be having a negative impact on their nutrition.

 

[Kiki]

This high protein is the only thing I can see that might be having a negative impact on their nutrition.


What are you referring to as high protein?

Read through this thread:
#1

 

[Eggcessive]

There is a possibility that she could be an internal layer which can lead to egg yolk peritonitis, because of her bare red belly. Other hens pecking her bottom could result in the red featherless bottom. She may have been having trouble laying the soft egg, which can be harder to lay. Mites can be seen around and under the vent, and there should be brown specks of mite droppings on the skin. Some mites are on chickens all of the time, while some are only on them at night, crawling back into the coop crevices during daylight. Take a flashlight and look her over tonight.