How to help feather loss and rash on chest?

[Chickies321]

Hi, I'm just looking for advice on how to treat my girl Raven. She is a 1 year old black Australorp. The feather loss and rash were not visible on her as of 3-4 days ago so I'm not sure when it started. I'm guessing it's been progressing slowly. It is on her lower chest/upper belly.

She eats layer hen feed. Laying normally. Eggs are collected daily and she has never been broody.

Lives with 5 other hens in a Tractor Supply coop/run that overstated how many chickens can fit (The Guardian). There is no bullying although she and her other australorp friend are at the bottom of the pecking order. Coop and run are cleaned every few weeks a d the ground is "tilled" daily. All other hens are fine with no issues.

I use Sweet PDZ on the coop floor as well as in their run. The run also has coconut coir and soil.

I did see a small amount of white dander looking stuff in her feathers that my other australorp didnt have.

Do you see mites in her picture? No evidence of them in coop or run but I can look harder if it seems this is the case.

Should I separate her? Thank you so much for reading this.

 

[Eggcessive]

Are they getting outside the run to free range during the daylight hours? Is she lying down a lot on the ground? It looks like feather picking to me. I would spend some time with them during the day and when they go to roost, since they will sometimes pick feathers while on the roost. Is she low in the pecking order? A bad tasting salve such as Vicks or Nustock cream might discourage pecking. It sounds like their coop is overcrowded. Feather picking can become a bad habit. Sometimes increasing the protein in the diet may help. Getting out to free range helps a lot when they can explore the yard.

 

[Chickies321]

Are they getting outside the run to free range during the daylight hours? Is she lying down a lot on the ground? It looks like feather picking to me. I would spend some time with them during the day and when they go to roost, since they will sometimes pick feathers while on the roost. Is she low in the pecking order? A bad tasting salve such as Vicks or Nustock cream might discourage pecking. It sounds like their coop is overcrowded. Feather picking can become a bad habit. Sometimes increasing the protein in the diet may help. Getting out to free range helps a lot when they can explore the yard.

Thank you for answering so quickly. They do not free-range due to predators. One year ago a bobcat opened the coop door (it was unfortunately unlocked) and killed my 2 cockerels. Also have hawks, foxes and raccoons.

We're in the process of building a much larger run to give them more space. (9x26ft)

She is lower on the pecking order and I have been suspecting that the ladies are bored although i do spend a lot of time with them and haven't seen any bullying behaviors.

Thank you for the recommendation of something to put on to discourage feather picking. I will try that and give them more protein. I have a separate flock where I noticed one of the bantam roos picking feathers to eat so I will give them protein as well.

 

[Eggcessive]

If there is room in your run, place some things for entertainment and to get out of the way if picked on.