if hicken missing feathers off back possibly from Rooster

[bladerunner3311]

We are new chicken caretakers and I noticed I think from the beginning (about two months ago) she was missing feathers. It has recently gotten worse with many feathers missing from her back and now pink spots too.

Today I noticed while feeding them some mealworms that out of the blue the rooster jumped on her back and showed some sort of dominance display. I think because she was pushing the others out of the way.

I have read she could be being bullied but I havent seen any sign of this. We have 5 hens and 1 rooster. She is otherwise very healthy to me but again I am not that familiar with chickens.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Roosters mate multiple times an hour. It's generally recommended to have at least 10 hens per rooster and more is even better to spread the love around. Roosters will mate hens bare. I personally would remove the rooster either permanently or temporarily to give the hens a break.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

Sounds like he was showing her not to push away the other hens.
She may be the top hen and be more resistant to mating....or she could just have brittle feathers that are easily broken when tread.
I see from your other thread that they are adult birds.
Did you get them all from the same place?
How long have you had the birds?
Can you post of pic of the feather damage?


Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

 

[bladerunner3311]

Welcome to BYC!

Sounds like he was showing her not to push away the other hens.
She may be the top hen and be more resistant to mating....or she could just have brittle feathers that are easily broken when tread.
I see from your other thread that they are adult birds.
Did you get them all from the same place?

Yes I got them from my son's farm school teacher. She has about 50.
How long have you had the birds?
Can you post of pic of the feather damage?

I just posted a pic. She keeps running from me.

Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

I have looked pretty good but not real well. None of them seem uncomfortable. They are a bit on the fast side so hard to catch nor do I have any experience doing this. I feel like a snake would be easier to catch.


None of the other chickens have feather loss.

 

[bladerunner3311]

We've had them for about 2 to 3 months.