Is this mites/lice or nothing to worry about? Help!

[Feliciaschickens]

I acquired hens from my grandpa who passed away tragically in a car accident. It was his wish that I have them. I love it but am always worried they have something wrong with them! I already had one die due to loosing mobility in her legs? Today I noted this (shown in pictures) going on with my birds in the vent area. Is this something I should be concerned with or no? My grandpa had so many chickens his whole life with no issues! But so far it feels like every week I am dealing with something new. Help please! I really don’t want this to be mites or lice.

 

[nuthatched]

Wow interesting. I was feeding them this since that’s what my grandpa had been doing for so long. I get it from tractor supply.. I will look at the protein percentage! I appreciate it.

That's understandable, a lot of people feed that way since that's what they thought they were supposed to do. 16% feed is fine, as long as you cut way back on the scratch and treats to once or twice a week, if that's all you can find

 

[Shadrach]

I acquired hens from my grandpa who passed away tragically in a car accident. It was his wish that I have them. I love it but am always worried they have something wrong with them! I already had one die due to loosing mobility in her legs? Today I noted this (shown in pictures) going on with my birds in the vent area. Is this something I should be concerned with or no? My grandpa had so many chickens his whole life with no issues! But so far it feels like every week I am dealing with something new. Help please! I really don’t want this to be mites or lice.

I'm going for feather picking due to stress.
It could be feather mite but I doubt it. If the feather shafts at their base are clean and you can't see any mites moving around in their feathers, I would rule mites and lice out.
Have the chickens been moved to a new coop after the death of your grandpa?
Any major changes in their routine, including who feeds them and how can cause stress related feather picking as can overcrowded coop conditions and changes in their environment.
Extra protein in their diet is unlikely to make any difference. Time to adjust to any new conditions, or even a different from normal feed might.

 

[Galaxy_rules]

I think molting season is part of it too.

 

[Feliciaschickens]

I'm going for feather picking due to stress.
It could be feather mite but I doubt it. If the feather shafts at their base are clean and you can't see any mites moving around in their feathers, I would rule mites and lice out.
Have the chickens been moved to a new coop after the death of your grandpa?
Any major changes in their routine, including who feeds them and how can cause stress related feather picking as can overcrowded coop conditions and changes in their environment.
Extra protein in their diet is unlikely to make any difference. Time to adjust to any new conditions, or even a different from normal feed might.

This is so helpful!! Yes the chickens have moved to a totally different house 1 hour away. They don’t get to free range much at all anymore, and their space is smaller than it used to be. It’s been about 3-4 months now that they have been at my house. Absolutely everything has changed for them.

 

[nuthatched]

ok, so, most of the feed they get should just be the laying pellets?

It should be 90% of their diet.

 

[Feliciaschickens]

Anyone see that red hen picture with that hard looking stuff at her vent? Is that just like dried poop?

 

[Shadrach]

Anyone see that red hen picture with that hard looking stuff at her vent? Is that just like dried poop?

That's what it looks like.
If their keeping circumstances have changed from mainly ranging to mainly contained and particularly if their coop has less room than they were used to then you can expect health and behavioural problems. Like many creatures, chickens like routine.
Try to get them out of the coop and run onto natural ground where they can dust bathe and forage. You may have to supervise them when out and about.
If you can feed them whatever your grandfather fed them, same brand.
Treats are fine. It's the type of treat that's important, not some ratio.
A cubic inch of drained tinned mackerel a few times a week will give them a complete protein boost, as will lean meat and most types of fish.
The poop on the feathers can be cleaned off by rolling the feathers between your thumb and forefinger if its dry. If it has set very hard pressure from a finger nail will usually break it enough to remove.

 

[nuthatched]

I'm sorry about your grandfather.
It looks like their picking the feathers, which could be a sign of mites but it could also be from too low protein in their diet or cramped conditions.

 

[Feliciaschickens]

I'm sorry about your grandfather.
It looks like their picking the feathers, which could be a sign of mites but it could also be from too low protein in their diet or cramped conditions.

Thank you good to know! Does scratch feed and laying pellets not have enough protein usually?