Hot spot on Hen?

[ZooMummzy]

I have been trying all day to get a photo of this, but she is a flighty thing. My RIR hen (just over 1 year old) has a missing patch of feathers near her tail on the side about 3 inches by 3 inches. The area is red, like a hot spot. It is not raw just red and tough? It doesn't seem to bother her when I touch it, she doesn't peck or scratch at it either.

I do not have any roosters and the flock is really healthy, laying an egg everyday, get along well, etc. The RIRs have been trying to molt since the winter but never really went through the full molt thing. They eat layer pellets, scratch, occasional treats and drink Avia Charge water. Their run is contained so they do not free range around the yard. None of the other hens seem to have this problem.

Any ideas, help, advice? I have checked her for mites, fleas, etc but do not really see anything. I'm just wondering if there is anything I can do for it or should do for it. I will keep trying to get a photo today.

 

[chickenhick]

Might be a "broody" patch. I have never seen this on any of my chickens, but I have read about it here. This is a quote from an old post, but maybe it'll help. Good luck with your girl.

"Is it more or less circular and is the skin otherwise healthy-looking? I had this problem last week with a half-broody hen. She had been making an area bald, on her own, to make skin contact with eggs. It was about 2 nches below the vent and part way between her legs. I didn;t notice it until they were on a platform, bent over for treats. I was lucky- the habit passed and she seems to be losing the hormonal urge and going back to normal.

I'm not syaing this is *definitely* what it is for your girl, though, because feather loss can have so many causes..."

Hope this helps.

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

I really believe it is some kind of feather mite and needs to be put oil on it and dusted with 5% sevin to see if that stops it
the oil is important as it helps heal the skin

the mites can make the skin red

she needs 2 tbsp of ACV in a gallon of water

also some feed it to all chickens
wet mash probiotic
1 qt of dry crumbles
1/4 cup of yoguart
1-1/2 qt of milk any kind
mix good and feed each adult chicken 3 tbsp of wet mash probiotic

I also would take a look at the chicken house and see if any of the building has split boards or knot holes as the mites live there and feed on the birds

thus you can paint the spots of the building with

1 qt of kerosene
1 qt of mineral oil
with paint brush apply to the roosts and knot holes and cracks in the boards

also clean the bedding out of the building and put seven 5% on the floor before putting the beding in

if you don't feel this is a good idea well I only know that mites do the or feather lice
It could be she is trying to molt but the feather folicls are missing on the red skin so they will not come back

 

[ZooMummzy]

Thank you chickenhick. It's not a broody spot, at least from the location you describe. This is more on her side in the saddle area, but thank you.

Glenda, thank you as always for your information. If you have not, you really should publish a book! Could mites or lice attack only one chicken in this way? I ask because I checked all the hens and none of them have a spot like this. I definitely will look into it more and the are moving to a new coop in two weeks so if it is mites or lice, I want to clear it up!