Losing Feathers

[marasm57]

My chickens are losing feathers and don't know what is the matter. They are 18 mo old.

 

[fordmommy]

I don't think I'm going to be much help. I'm going to give you a bump. But maybe you could tell us if you have other chickens. Hens? Roos? How many? Just the two? Are they fighting? Hope someone can help.

 

[Imp]

marasm57,

Here's a link that might help. Frequent causes of feather loss are roos, mite/lice, molting, or pecking. Good Luck.

Imp


http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/mf2308.pdf

 

[Jccatcher]

Wow wish I could help but I know nothing about bare butts. Good Luck

 

[crazycluck]

Some of my 3 month old pullets look just like that! My were pecking each other, I moved them to a bigger pen and they stopped. How big is the area you have them in and how many do you have in it?

 

[chicken obsessed]

Either they're molting REALLY bad. Or they hav a mite or something

 

[keljonma]

edited: I have a friend who owns chickens that look pre-plucked. In her flock it is caused by flock pecking because of boredom, they are always inside the hen house (she has no run), and over-crowding.

Make sure you rule out molt, mites, lice and pecking. It could be vitamin/amino acid deficiency.

 

[marasm57]

I have 15 hens and one guine. I removed the rooster yesterday to see if there is an improvement. I also cleaned the coop and sprinkled a little seven.
There coop is about 8 X 10 two levels. So they have room and they are outside all day in an area about 50 x 15.
I will be watching to see if things improve with the rooster removed.

 

[keljonma]

Good luck! Hopefully, you will see an improvement soon.

If their feathers don't grow back, and/or the skin looks crusty, do some research on favus in poultry.

 

[yzer3000]

Maybe they are molting....