I Am Sooo Worried!!

[Hennyhandler]

I have some chickens that have feathers missing on the spot above the tail. I thought it was the rooster. I put saddles on them after waiting for them to arrive. That was today. Then I actually had a moment to spend with the chickens and I noticed they kept turning around and, either on their feathers or on thier backs, they would nibble. I know some of it was the elastic from the saddles but some didn't have one on and it wasn't in that area. Even the rooster did this on ocassion.

On top of this, I saw some of them had, where the wings lay against the back and almost meet, the first couple of long feathers pulled out to where it was just the quill. One even nibbled and then pulled out some soft feathers and ate them. They have oysters shell. I now REALLY worry that this could be some kind of bug or the rooster or something else altogether. I have asked before on here and the response was the same. Other people were in the same boat. They didn't not knowing which it was.

I AM SOOO PANICKING. I WAS worried before but now I am REALLY worried.

I just want to fix it and don't know what to do. I don't want it to get worse. The one already has to big of a spot. PLEASE HELP!

 

[M To The Maxx]

Check them for mites.

 

[GreenGoddess]

Check them for mites/lice but you may also want to bump up their protein if they are eating the feathers.. Cooked beans and yogurt mixed together is what I used to bump it up for mine.. I know $1.50 may seem like a lot for a little bag of beans but remember, they swell when cooked and actually makes quite a bit... I normally use Northern beans and lentils.. Scrambled eggs are a good choice too...

Goddess

 

[Hennyhandler]

Thank you so mcuh. Exactly what do I look for when I look for mites? Should I be worried at this point?

 

[GreenGoddess]

You can find mites/lice in the warm parts of their bodies such as their vent area or under the wing.. Best time to look is while they are roosting at night since it is dark and the bugs although quick are much easier to see with a bright flashlight.. You will have to move their fluffy feathers to be able to see the feather shafts.. If you don't see anything then I would definitely bump up their protein and you could always dust them to be extra sure.. Another place to look is on the roosts and nesting boxes themselves.. Shine the light into the bedding and move it around..

Goddess