Hens Missing feathers

[flytpm]

My yr old hens are missing feathers, on breast, back, vent and one neck; for about 2 months. Some of the spots are very red and a couple have scabs. I didn't see any mites/lice but feathers on back looked scraggly so I treated them and the coop/run with Poultry Dust on hens and Sevin dust in coop/run 10 days ago. I retreated hens yesterday with Adams flea and tick spray. They do not free range but run is 10 sq ft per bird and coop is 4 sq ft per bird, the entire thing is under roof. Egg laying hasn't slowed down and I feed them 16% layer pellets and throw in lg cup of scratch every few days unless its hot outside. They have grit, there's no rooster. I gave them Vit and Electrolytes 10 days ago and I'm worming them now because they seem skinny, also give them lil yogurt every 1-2 wks. Feathers not lookin any better. Thanks for any suggestions or advice.

 

[NonnasBabies]

Could she be going through her moult?? Just a thought anyway!!

Missi

 

[sparky134]

WOW, It sounds like you did everything, I would suggest to dust again 10 days after your first dusting and then again in month just to be on the safe side. They could be moulting, mine are moulting for the first time and they are just about 2 years old.

 

[flytpm]

There aren't but few feathers on ground. So where are they going? I actually haven't put grit out in awhile because they scratch in the wood shavings and there's gravel underneath. Would should I do, they look awful? Anyone please?

 

[kfuhrmann]

I have two chickens and one rooster that are doing the same thing-only on their back between their feathers, I have another chicken that is missing feathers, but only on her head. I have two roosters and 11 chickens, one rooster is very aggressive (the one NOT missing the feathers) I am wondering if it may be time to make him chicken soup-or is it something else? I do not see bugs on them either, and their egg laying has not slowed-they seem very healthy. The chickens and roosters are all just over a year old.

 

[JasonJC]

Quote:
I would consider this as well.

On the other hand, I have a layer that started brooding two days ago. I was on top of it and caught her in the beginning and what I do (besides the point of this topic) is take her out of the run where the nest boxes are and she free ranges around the pen by herself. Today (now getting back on topic) I go out to feed, open the coop for the layers. I noticed she didn't jump right up and find her way into the coop to brood. My thoughts were, she must be broke (usually takes about 2 days with my process). So I keep an eye out the window of my home and at one point when making the observation again, I noticed another layer head up to do her thing and this brooder (possibly broken from brooding) notices this other hen going up into the coop. She then finds her way up and starts brooding again. So I venture out to confirm this and sure enough, she has gathered a couple eggs to sit on. Well... out she goes. BUT! this time I notice (didn't before) that ALL of her breast feathers are gone. Does anyone know what that is about?