Losing Feathers

[Chickenman MAN]

Hi! I have had my 4 ex-bats for about 2 months now. They have all been growing feathers back really well (except one but she seems a-ok). Recently I have noticed that they have been losing feathers, mostly on the upper wings, neck, and chest (some more noticeably than others. The hen who wasn't really growing back feathers seems a bit 'tatty' and has lost quite a few feathers, many from the base but some from about 1/4 of the way up the feather. I don't think it is a pecking issue or bullying issue. What's going on?

 

[coach723]

Can you post some pictures of the birds?

 

[deidreg]

Likely molting, but pictures would help. Do you see pin feathers coming in?

 

[Chickenman MAN]

Likely molting, but pictures would help. Do you see pin feathers coming in?

What is a pin feather?

 

[Chickenman MAN]

Can you post some pictures of the birds?

Will get one soon!

 

[coach723]

Pin feathers are the new feathers growing in that are still encased in the new shaft. As they get bigger the shaft slowly comes away revealing the new feather. Images below of pinfeather examples.

 

[Chickenman MAN]

Pin feathers are the new feathers growing in that are still encased in the new shaft. As they get bigger the shaft slowly comes away revealing the new feather. Images below of pinfeather examples.
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Ah ok. Kind of...? I see some but not many in the same spot as feather loss.

 

[coach723]

PIctures will help hopefully. Also what you feed, and how they are housed would be good to know. Have you checked them over for mites/lice?
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[Chickenman MAN]

PIctures will help hopefully. Also what you feed, and how they are housed would be good to know. Have you checked them over for mites/lice?
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

Will get pics... so sorry I forgot! They have no mites/lice I check them weekly, (checked yesterday) the feed is 16% protein layers pellets. They also get treats occasionally.

 

[Chickenman MAN]

PIctures will help hopefully. Also what you feed, and how they are housed would be good to know. Have you checked them over for mites/lice?
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

They are ex-bats, so they all have bald spots on their heads and are missing feathers, they also still have pale combs. But this is not lice... they've been like this since I've got them (with improvements). One chook has poopy feathers around her vent, but it isn't bad and the vent itself is very clean.