Like Hair with Split Ends?

[ClareScifi]

For those of you who have had a rooster with lice, would you say the feathers on top of his back looked similar to how a person's hair looks when it gets split ends? You know, sort of frizzy looking, not smooth and sleek and oily, but rough and kind of woolly? Or would this be more a symptom of mites? Or parasites? Or worms? Or any of the above? I'm trying to narrow it down?

Thanks for your help,

Clare

 

[ClareScifi]

Since I have not received any responses to my post, I'm starting to wonder whether this split end look to the back feathers is normal? I can't find any evidence of lice, mites, or parasites, so maybe the feathers just take on a rougher look as the chicken ages and aren't as shiny as when he was a younger chick? I wonder whether he might be rubbing up against some boards at night while roosting, and that is why his feathers aren't as sleek as in the past. He seems healthy and happy.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

So, my Buff Orpington is currently looking the same. She has no bugs or lice eggs on her. However, her molt last fall was not a complete one. From what I've read, it's possible for older feathers to just break off and give that rough look.

A friend with a lot of chickens suggested giving flax seed, however, the feed I am giving them currently has flax seed already. Extra protein is good for feathers as well. But once they are broken, they really just need to fall out and be replaced during the molt to return to beauty again.

I don't know if this is your issue, but it may be a possibility?

 

[ClareScifi]

Oh, that makes me feel a lot better Yay Chicks. Thanks for sharing your experience. My boy is almost 10 months old. I've read that roosters have their first molt at 18 months, so I guess I will have a while to wait. Next March. He's still a beautiful boy, but I sure loved the sleek look of his feathers when he was little. But as long as there is nothing wrong with him. Thanks again. Maybe I'll try giving him some scrambled eggs.