Chickiechickieboomboom
Chirping
I have a hen who is losing feathers around her vent. I noticed it yesterday, and today I witnessed the feathers flying off of her, maybe 10 at a time, every time she jumped or flew. I haven't seen anyone picking on her. I don't have a rooster.
I checked for lice and mites but didn't see anything that resembles the images I googled. The vent is clean and not red or inflamed. So I don't think it's vent fleet. The areas she has lost feathers are a little pinkish, but not red. I can see the follicle where the feather came out, but it doesnt look irritated or injured.
She is 11 months old. She has been broody 4 times since March, and I have used a broody buster coop every time to break her (usually takes 2-3 days).
The whole flock (10 hens/pullets) is on chick starter/grower. Oyster shells on the side. A few handfuls of mealworms every morning. They all free range.
My young pullets are going through their juvenile molt, but their feather loss is typical and allover their bodies.
What do you think is going on?!
I checked for lice and mites but didn't see anything that resembles the images I googled. The vent is clean and not red or inflamed. So I don't think it's vent fleet. The areas she has lost feathers are a little pinkish, but not red. I can see the follicle where the feather came out, but it doesnt look irritated or injured.
She is 11 months old. She has been broody 4 times since March, and I have used a broody buster coop every time to break her (usually takes 2-3 days).
The whole flock (10 hens/pullets) is on chick starter/grower. Oyster shells on the side. A few handfuls of mealworms every morning. They all free range.
My young pullets are going through their juvenile molt, but their feather loss is typical and allover their bodies.
What do you think is going on?!
