First time owning my own flock! They’ve been a joy. I got 13 birds, 4 different breeds. I have raised them from day old and haven’t had an issue. Until I noticed 2 of my Olive Eggers with increasingly less tail feathers and balding rear ends. The rest of my birds seem just fine.
Yesterday I noticed one of the eggers picking at her back end and making noises while doing it, almost as if it was painful. I don’t really see them getting picked on. I think now that they have exposed skin, the others are kind of picking on them somewhat, but nothing alarming. They doesn’t seem ill otherwise. But they do kind of keep off to themselves recently. But still acting normal otherwise.
I was able to get a video today of what it looks like. I will attach screenshots from it.
I’m just very concerned because I don’t know what is causing this, or what to do. I don’t want to lose a bird if it’s something that’s fixable.
Just for reference, I have a decent sized run that they stay in during the day. I only free range when I can be outside with them (big hawk problem in my neighborhood). They have toys (tambourine, xylophone, bells, very large perch, mirror) to help with stimulation while they are locked up. Plenty of room, food, and water. I visit usually twice a day and give treats like black soldier flies and watermelon. They free range for a few hours a few times a week. We treat the coop with first Saturday lime. They are almost 4 months old, no one is laying.
I’m trying to do everything right but I’m so worried about two of my girls.
I didn’t see any mites that could cause her to be itchy.
Any help or insight is appreciated. I’m just trying to do right by them.
Yesterday I noticed one of the eggers picking at her back end and making noises while doing it, almost as if it was painful. I don’t really see them getting picked on. I think now that they have exposed skin, the others are kind of picking on them somewhat, but nothing alarming. They doesn’t seem ill otherwise. But they do kind of keep off to themselves recently. But still acting normal otherwise.
I was able to get a video today of what it looks like. I will attach screenshots from it.
I’m just very concerned because I don’t know what is causing this, or what to do. I don’t want to lose a bird if it’s something that’s fixable.
Just for reference, I have a decent sized run that they stay in during the day. I only free range when I can be outside with them (big hawk problem in my neighborhood). They have toys (tambourine, xylophone, bells, very large perch, mirror) to help with stimulation while they are locked up. Plenty of room, food, and water. I visit usually twice a day and give treats like black soldier flies and watermelon. They free range for a few hours a few times a week. We treat the coop with first Saturday lime. They are almost 4 months old, no one is laying.
I’m trying to do everything right but I’m so worried about two of my girls.
I didn’t see any mites that could cause her to be itchy.
Any help or insight is appreciated. I’m just trying to do right by them.
