Losing feathers.

[peternaa]

I have a rooster that is about a year old. He is doing a great job looking after the hens we have for him but he seems to be losing a lot of feathers around his neck. I have attached a picture. If anyone has any ideas that would be great.

 

[birdsrfun]

Check for lice. This can cause your birds to peck out their feathers.

 

[peternaa]

Well I have cleaned out the coop and have put the special earth into the coop and the dust bowl and will see what happens over the next few days. Can’t see and lice on any of the chickens but it is the Rooster that is having the issues. Time will tell if this will work.

 

[birdsrfun]

Mites or fleas could also be the culprit, but I would think the girls would have it too. I don’t see any kind of skin condition where he might be scratching himself raw? Although, if he did start out with a small bare spot, the hens could also be pecking at it and causing a larger bare spot.

Keep it clean and dry, and watch to see if you spot any behaviors from any of the birds that could explain things.

 

[birdsrfun]

Also, make sure he’s getting more protein to help him grow those feathers back more quickly.