How to help feathers grow back

[wanttobefarmer]

Is there anything I can do to help the feathers on this 3 month old Roo grow back? I just bought him. You can see in the pic but actually it is his whole back. His wings are covering it up but if you pull his wings out he is completely plucked.

 

[3goodeggs]

I suggest increasing his protein intake. Also, dust him for lice just in case. If he has any they will eat the new feathers as soon as they start to come out. It can't hurt.

 

[wanttobefarmer]

Quote:
what should I dust him with? DE?

 

[kylara70]

yep, DE will take care of whatever mites might be there.

 

[chicmom]

Hello- I've read that if the feather shaft is still in the skin, then the new feather won't grow until the next molt. But if there are no feather shafts, it should grow in sooner. I use Sevin Dust for any mites or lice....once I brought home a breeding pair of Ameraucanas from a poultry show, and I was so angry because they were covered in mites. So that's how I treated them, and it took care of those mites very quickly. I think you repeat after a week.

 

[3goodeggs]

we used a pet and garden pyrethrin that we got at the feed store, and yes 7-10 days repeat for any eggs that have hatched.
We also have a DE dust bath mixed with yellow sand. They seem to really enjoy that.
I hope he feathers out nicely and quickly!

 

[chicken farmer]

Actually that looks like a hen that got bred to much and when the roosters mates her his feet keep raking her feathers and braking them off.

 

[TRChickenRanch]

Chicken farmer, if it is from the hen being bred too much what can you do to help the hens get their feathers back. I have several hens that have that problem. They didn't grow back after their molt. Now I'm worried cause they are still bare backed.