- Oct 9, 2012
- 13
- 1
- 24
Hi everyone, and thanks for the wealth of experience on this site! I'm excited about learning more from you all, being brand new to having chickens in the family.
My son and daughter-in-law received four 1-yr old hens from a friend about a month ago, and shortly I noticed one had a bare butt which looked a bit red. She also looked a bit scruffy. On checking the BYC site, it seemed it could be molting but that molting doesn't start at the back...and if feathers fall off the butt first it usually means mites. The former owner hadn't noticed anything, and it was still summer weather here, not usually molting time.
With good food and environment she recovered her feathers and now has a nice fluffy rear. However, first one and then two of the other hens now have little black spots on their combs, and also shake their heads briefly (like they're trying to shake something off their heads) every few seconds. I wonder if that could be mites?
One concern is that these 4 have just moved into the big coop with 7 pullets. They're getting along fine, but I'd love to be sure the big hens don't have mites.
Does anyone have any wisdom to share? Thanks!!!
My son and daughter-in-law received four 1-yr old hens from a friend about a month ago, and shortly I noticed one had a bare butt which looked a bit red. She also looked a bit scruffy. On checking the BYC site, it seemed it could be molting but that molting doesn't start at the back...and if feathers fall off the butt first it usually means mites. The former owner hadn't noticed anything, and it was still summer weather here, not usually molting time.
With good food and environment she recovered her feathers and now has a nice fluffy rear. However, first one and then two of the other hens now have little black spots on their combs, and also shake their heads briefly (like they're trying to shake something off their heads) every few seconds. I wonder if that could be mites?
One concern is that these 4 have just moved into the big coop with 7 pullets. They're getting along fine, but I'd love to be sure the big hens don't have mites.
Does anyone have any wisdom to share? Thanks!!!
So glad you joined us!!! 
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