loss of feathers, watery stools

[Yello]

My hens have bare butts. No feathers. Feather shafts only on some, bare skin on others. Two of them have "peed" on me during inspection of said butts. Very watery..just like pee. All acting normal.
Could it be a molt? They are 21 months old and have never molted, that I know of. Could it be mites? Didn't see lice. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Judy]

Molting starts at the head and neck. If you've never wormed them, I'd start with that, with Valbazen, which you will probably have to order online. Jeffers Livestock and Amazon both carry it. Costs about $40 but one bottle lasts for a few years of worming unless you have a really huge flock. I'd also check more closely for lice/mites -- check at night, as some are only on them then. Lice and mites are dropped in by wild birds and it is unusual if they've never had one. Worms eat the feed that they eat, effectively starving them. They will eat each others' feathers for the protein if they aren't getting enough. You give 0.5 ml of Valbazen by mouth, I do it on a scrap of bread, then repeat in 10 days, for an average sized adult hen such as RIR. For bantams, 0.25 ml, and for huge birds like JG or your cockerel, I might go up to 1 ml. Toss eggs for a total of 21 days.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ll-seeing-live-worms-in-poo/0_20#post_9315842

http://healthybirds.umd.edu/Disease/Deworming Birds.pdf

 

[Yello]

Thank you. I'll look for mites/lice tonite & try deworming. And yes I've noticed them eating feathers. Thanks again!

 

[casportpony]

Thank you. I'll look for mites/lice tonite & try deworming. And yes I've noticed them eating feathers. Thanks again!

Don't bother looking, just dust them, I bet they have some. Worming is also what I would do. Just make a mental note that Valbazen (albendazole) should *never* be given to pigeons, doves or crias (baby camelid).

 

[Yello]

I now have the product to treat for mites. Am I correctly assuming that the coop needs to be thoroughly cleaned? What about the outdoor run? Our weather is still very cold. Do mites survive outside in the cold?