Here I am again.

[Hennyhandler]

I have gone around and around on this issue for awhile and am tired of it.

I want it fixed and taken care of. I don't want to worry anymore. See, my chickens have a bald spot on their backs above the tail and I have a rooster so I assumed it was the rooster. Well, I have seen them eat feathers that have fallen out and they sometimes turn around and rub their beaks through their feathers like they are scratching so then I thought no protien or a bug like mites.

I have turned on way and another and always get to thinking it's something else.

I also wondered if boredom plays a part in it. The run is bare. Anyway, I bought them saddles and have had them on for a week or more. I just bought today some eight dust and dusted them and the coop. Hope this helps one way or another. At least if there ain't any then this will just prevent the possibility. Some of them have a spot above the vent that is bare though one had feathers growing back there. Also, when I picked them up to dust them some felt lighter than others. Is this because they are lower on the totem pole? One had some poo on her underside as well. Normal or...?

I am planning on adding a dust bath thought they kinda made one themselves and adding some toys for them. I have occasionally given them foods with protien but am going to up that too. I looked under their saddles today and they seem to look better. What else is there to do?

Any advice would be appreciated and I know I forgot some info so if you wonder about something just let me know.

Also, one or two of my birds is fully feathered and fine. I wonder if she isn't pecking the others. But the one is not one of the highest on the pecking order. So what does this mean? Sorry for going on and on just want to get all the info in.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Sounds like they are loseing feathers from being bred. They usually lose the feathers on the back, right above the tail.

 

[jeslewmazer]

Quote:
Sounds like it to me too. The roo might favor some more than others. He might just be too rough.
I let mine free range about half of the week, and I add protein to their daily feed.
If you hang something like cabbage it will give your chickens something to do if they don't get to free range and are getting board.
I don't use the saddles but keep the roon ration good and only keep gentle roos. Sometimes it just takes a little time and you can turn a rough roo into a gentle roo, but not always.

 

[Hennyhandler]

Thanks a lot. This has made me feel so much better. I can handle this news. I worry over everything I guess.