I need help/advice. I’m at a loss at how to help my hens!

[Nana2-11]

A few weeks ago I noticed some of my hens were losing feathers, first along their bottoms then on their necks and head. I immediately began researching the possible causes. Molting? Lice? Mites? By now I have treated my poor hens with Ivermectin. When that didn’t seem to work and more of my hens started to look like they were undergoing cancer treatment I treated them with Permethrin 10. Each time I treated the hens I completely emptied their coop, I even vacuumed the place, and sprayed it down. I have checked their coop late at night but haven’t seen any evidence of bugs of any kind. I have tried feed with higher protein and also supplemented their feed with high protein treats. I have spent a small fortune trying to do anything I can so my hens look “normal” again. I have tried different bedding. I have treated them with Vetericyn, Blu-Kote, Pick No More. I have given them baths and put anti fungal ointment on them. Their egg production hasn’t changed. They are good layers. What am I doing wrong? What am I missing here? Are they suffering from this? My husband thinks it’s time to get rid of the chickens, I just can’t do that yet. Can anyone please help me? (I’m including 2 pics. I do have some hens that look worse now with their backs bare and the redness on some of them is alarming. I just haven’t taken any pictures of that yet.)

 

[Firsttimechicksxxx]

i am not an expert at all but could it be possible they are getting picked on by some of your other hens?

 

[Nana2-11]

It’s possible but they all look about the same. I’ve sat and watched for a bully but I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Where are you in the world? How old are your chickens?

 

[Nana2-11]

Where are you in the world? How old are your chickens?

Northeastern Arizona mountains. That are a year old

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Northeastern Arizona mountains. That are a year old

Ah, so late snow then. I was wondering if it was the start of winter where you are, but I suppose not. Still, if they are about 18 months old, it could be the beginning of their first hard molt anyway, regardless of season.

The first pic looks like possible molt, since the other visible feathers look a bit scruffy, too. And molting often starts at the neck. Have you noticed an abundance of loose feathers in the coop and run?

In the second pic, I'm not sure what's going on with her belly. Some of my hens have that, and I'm reminded that hens will pick out their belly feathers when they intend to go broody - to line the nest, and to make better skin contact with the eggs. The damage to her back feathers is very likely due to a rooster's too-amorous attentions.

 

[Nana2-11]

I forgot to tell you that I am in the process of tripling the size of their run. Their coop is plenty big but since I’m trying anything I can I figured it would not hurt to give them more room. I have five 9 week old chicks that are ready for the outdoors but I’m worried they’ll have the same problem as the older hens so I’m scared to put them in with the flock.

 

[Nana2-11]

Ah, so late snow then. I was wondering if it was the start of winter where you are, but I suppose not. Still, if they are about 18 months old, it could be the beginning of their first hard molt anyway, regardless of season.

The first pic looks like possible molt, since the other visible feathers look a bit scruffy, too. And molting often starts at the neck. Have you noticed an abundance of loose feathers in the coop and run?

In the second pic, I'm not sure what's going on with her belly. Some of my hens have that, and I'm reminded that hens will pick out their belly feathers when they intend to go broody - to line the nest, and to make better skin contact with the eggs. The damage to her back feathers is very likely due to a rooster's too-amorous attentions.

I don’t have a rooster yet. Our weather is warming up now. We will have 80 degree days and 30 degree nights, but from time to time we have been known to have a snow storm at the end of May.

 

[Nana2-11]

Ah, so late snow then. I was wondering if it was the start of winter where you are, but I suppose not. Still, if they are about 18 months old, it could be the beginning of their first hard molt anyway, regardless of season.

The first pic looks like possible molt, since the other visible feathers look a bit scruffy, too. And molting often starts at the neck. Have you noticed an abundance of loose feathers in the coop and run?

In the second pic, I'm not sure what's going on with her belly. Some of my hens have that, and I'm reminded that hens will pick out their belly feathers when they intend to go broody - to line the nest, and to make better skin contact with the eggs. The damage to her back feathers is very likely due to a rooster's too-amorous attentions.

How long does molting last?

 

[Firsttimechicksxxx]

How long does molting last?

i think 8-12 weeks