Hen with red/callused skin on her belly.?

[Al Capon]

I've got this 16 month old hen that was broody as of last week. Over the weekend she spent time in the shame cage and I broke her of being broody, so that's cleared up.

I'm treating her for early bumblefoot too, that's when I noticed the bare patch on her belly. This is probably a mix of pulling feathers because of broodiness and squatting down on a 2x4 on the roost, and might have been like this for a while. Skin is not soft and supple, it's kinda callused and leathery, although not thick like leather.

I'm giving her 250mg/Fishmox/day to hopefully clear up any bumble foot that remains after light bumblefoot surgery.

I should also mention I think she's going thru a mini molt. She's leaving feathers everywhere she goes, especially when she dust bathes.

18% Layer pellets w/ grit and oyster shell on the side. Free ranges an acre for bugs/grass all day.

What is that red patch, irritation? Should I treat that red area, and if so with what?

Thoughts? Comments?

 

[AmyJane725]

Poor thing. You don't see any ectoparasites at all, do you?

I'd probably put some coconut oil on it, or some Veterycin spray maybe?

Is that skin especially hot or anything?

 

[Al Capon]

Poor thing. You don't see any ectoparasites at all, do you?

I'd probably put some coconut oil on it, or some Veterycin spray maybe?

Is that skin especially hot or anything?

No, I didn't see any parasites tonight. I'll try grabbing her in the morning and checking for mites and the like.

Skin doesn't seem hot and isn't sensitive, doesn't seem to be bothering her. Is that from squatting on the roost, you think?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Thinking the baldness from being broody, the redness for on the roost. I'd try keeping it lubed (coconut oil advised).

 

[Al Capon]

Thinking the baldness from being broody, the redness for on the roost. I'd try keeping it lubed (coconut oil advised).

Coconut oil huh,...okay. That's something I don't have in my medicine cabinet yet.

Is that found in the food aisle or in beauty products?

 

[AmyJane725]

Coconut oil huh,...okay. That's something I don't have in my medicine cabinet yet.

Is that found in the food aisle or in beauty products?

Food section. You want the virgin cold pressed coconut oil. It's a little spendy but should last a long time.

 

[Al Capon]

Food section. You want the virgin cold pressed coconut oil. It's a little spendy but should last a long time.

Thx, I'll check into it tomorrow.

 

[AmyJane725]

Thx, I'll check into it tomorrow.

How's your girl's tummy today?

 

[Al Capon]

How's your girl's tummy today?

Same, no change. Didn't see any bugs, must be from brooding and friction. Will get some coconut oil on it today, see if that softens it up a little.

 

[Ebony Rose]

First thing that came to mind for me was a roosting issue. When I had birds that would either lay on the ground or on a flat surface, like a box or shelf to sleep, my birds would get this rash (for lack of a better word for it). Sleeping in their urates and feces burns and irritates the skin, then feather plucking to get at the affected skin, and the whole thing spirals into a bald-bellied-bird. How's your roosting situation?