Hens possible molt but there are white dots on one

[chickguirl]

I have a girl that is about 1.5 years old if I was told correctly when I bought chickens about 5 months ago, he stated they were a year old.I do not know what type of chicken they are. The molting research seem to be on cue with autumn/winter and age and I will ramp up protein for them... I live norht of Atlanta GA if that makes a difference. I am concerned about the little white dots on her as in the picture, I use DE-food grade but very little, they bathe in ashes from fire place (very little paper used no toxic wood) mixed with dirt and DE-food grade. I also spread the ashes in the outside run/ dirt floor with some oat hay which is also in the coop which s i cleaned weekly. Just want to keep my girls healthy as possible for a not so educated chickguirl. I only have three but they are good layers 2-3 eggs on most days even after getting cold here they are still going strong. I also give them ACV with mother in the water -just started that, laying mash (lot of and they scatter that everywhere) and treats every day. Treats consist (depending of what is available) of bread, salad, sunflower seeds, some nuts occasionally, beans, squash and they are about to feast on pumpkin and they get some fruit from time to time oh and yogurt as as I have found two broken mostly eaten eggs, they now have a fake eggs so hopefully that will help...all of this I have learned right here!! and I am so grateful for this information as they would probably have already met the chicken god...Thanks to All.... love this site have learned much and learning more as I go, thanks to all who so graciously chime in. Much appreciated!!

 

[Kelsie2290]

From the picture she is/was molting and she seems to have pin feathers growing in on her head and wings etc, those white shafts covering the new feathers kind of disintegrate as the feathers grow and will leave white flakes all over the place that look like dandruff. I would double check her for mites/lice just in case though, I find putting some of those white flakes etc on a black piece of paper and looking at them with a magnifying glass easiest. From the pic she looks like she might be a red sex link of some type, can't see the tail but they usually have white tail feathers. If you are interested in id-ing her breed you could post some full body pics on the What Breed Or Gender Is This Forum. And, Welcome To BYC!

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree. Mine get little white spcks around the head and neck when molting, plus the dander and dry skin. Check for lice and mites, but probably isn't the cause.

 

[Wyandottes7]

Its pretty normal. When my birds molt, they often have white specks on them. Its just parts of the old feathers, dander, and feather sheathes.

 

[chickguirl]

Maybe I just freaked out. The little specks have disappeared, they were not handled much so they are quite skid-dish but getting better, kinda hard to get them to comply with a human coming at them, I'm still negotiating :+) I feel I am OK for now with my girl. The specks had been on her for three days, probably jumped the gun. Much to learn and I will post requesting what type she in the forum. TY!!! very much

 

[theoldchick]

Increased dandruff is normal during a heavy or light molt.

 

[Amary123]

My hens have the same white spots as the 1st picture in the thread and while I was scratching one my hens, one of the white spots started moving. I caught the white spot and squished it in the process and found out it was a bug. Do you know what it was and how I can get rid of it?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My hens have the same white spots as the 1st picture in the thread and while I was scratching one my hens, one of the white spots started moving. I caught the white spot and squished it in the process and found out it was a bug. Do you know what it was and how I can get rid of it?

It sounds like she has some lice or mites.
You can dust her with Poultry Dust which is found at the feed store.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html

 

[Amary123]

It sounds like she has some lice or mites.
You can dust her with Poultry Dust which is found at the feed store.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html

Thank you!