Lice On Chickens

[silkie1472]

It has been over a week since I treated my hens and one of them is losing feathers. When I pick her up, feathers go flying. However, the hen is also replacing all the feathers that she is losing. Is she molting or is there something else causing the problem? She is very healthy, just losing feathers.

 

[Folly's place]

She's molting and will look better later. Keep looking for those rotten little bugs! Mary

 

[rustymurphy]

One good thing to help rid chickens from creepy Crawley critters is wood ashes of course make sure there are absolutely no hot coals the lady's like to take dust baths in them creepy Crawleys hate this gets rid of parasites

 

[aart]

It has been over a week since I treated my hens and one of them is losing feathers. When I pick her up, feathers go flying. However, the hen is also replacing all the feathers that she is losing. Is she molting or is there something else causing the problem? She is very healthy, just losing feathers.

If new pin feathers are coming, it's just a molt...adding protein can help speed this along.

 

[silkie1472]

That's a relief! She has not lost many feathers on her back yet, but when I raise them up, I see new, dark, shiny feathers beginning to come in. Also, there are lots of spikes (assuming they are pin feathers) coming in on her wings, legs, and chest. They used to live in not so good conditions, and look like they have never molted before, but they look a lot better now. Thanks!

 

[aart]

That's a relief! She has not lost many feathers on her back yet, but when I raise them up, I see new, dark, shiny feathers beginning to come in. Also, there are lots of spikes (assuming they are pin feathers) coming in on her wings, legs, and chest. They used to live in not so good conditions, and look like they have never molted before, but they look a lot better now. Thanks!

Yes, probably.... google for images to confirm.
Hard to say if it's because of "not so good conditions"...the stress of moving to a new place often triggers a molt.

 

[silkie1472]

This is what the spikes/feathers look like on my hen. Also, can anyone tell me if she is a gray or blue silkie? The other is black but she is different.

 

[silkie1472]

Here is a picture of them.

 

[aart]

Looks like pin feathers to me....but I know nothing about silkies..... @oldhenlikesdogs does tho I think

 

[silkie1472]

What about the color? @aart