itchy chicks

[catwalk]

I have three Serama babies that are three weeks old, and their tail bases are itchy, red and swollen. I've noticed this for a while, but I just got a good look at them last night. One of them has a sort of growth, but the others are just irritated. I didn't see any bugs, but I threw away their brooder box and bedding. Is it too early to start using DE and cayenne pepper? And what should I use topically? I have lidocaine and tea tree oil, but I've read bad things on BYC about them. The birds are otherwise healthy, but they spend all their time scratching their patooties off! Help?

 

[Jenski]

Photos would help, if you can get them. I know it's really hard to photograph chicks with indoor lighting!

You may see a "growth" on the top of the tail base that looks like a little bump. That's an oil gland they will brush their beaks across when they preen their feathers.

Chicks can get itchy from all the new feather growth, but their skin should not be red and irritated. Are they picking each other's feathers? What are you feeding?

 

[catwalk]

No good pics, sorry. I sat on my camera and broke the screen, so I have to guess, piont, and click. None of them came out. I guess they don't look SUPER irritated. The bumbs are more blue, like a blood blister. One, though, has a big skin- colored bump with a long "pimple" sticking off it. There is a feather in the middle of this pimple. Do chickens get "iingrown hairs"? New growth causing itching does make sense. Although their feathers are shiny, they do look ruffled most of the time. They eat 24% game bird starter, they don't like yogurt (yet), and I haven't tried any other treats or supplements. Do you suggest something nutritional? They play outside in the tractor every day when the other birds are out free- ranging, and there are no chemicals (besides dihydrous monoxide) in the yard. I move the tractor before they go in so they aren't in the same grass the others have been pooping in all day. Am I being concerned over a normal adolescent condition?