Major feather loss Help!

[Alic3]

Hi everyone! I have had two flocks of chickens, so I am relatively new to raising chickens. We have had a rough start with our latest batch. We ordered our silkies from an untrustworthy company that does not treat their chicks well, and we have had eight that didn't make it. Our black silkie, which is relatively small, has been bullied by our much larger Cochin roosters; there are two of them, along with our two lavender Orpingtons. She has significant feather loss on the top of her back and under her chest. The spots are around two inches by two inches. Her feather loss improved for a minute until she experienced the second bald spot. There are no signs of feather regrowth, and I'm worried about her. She has curly feathers that are unlike my other and last white silkie, named Creampuff from the batch. I thought it may have been mites or lice but didn't see any, so I bought some food called flock leader. They are supposed to help with feather regrowth and calm and lower stress levels. Does anyone have an idea of what it might be? I've tried separating midnight and creampuff, which worked. Should I try again?

 

[N F C]

Hi, it sounds to me as if your Silkie is the victim of bullying by the larger chickens. Is it possible to keep her separate with another Silkie or two for company?

 

[Alic3]

Hi, it sounds to me as if your Silkie is the victim of bullying by the larger chickens. Is it possible to keep her separate with another Silkie or two for company?

Yes! I've put her and my other silkie together for a day with a fence between the larger chickens. I was thinking of bringing both of them inside for the night because it only helped a little when I separated them. Do you think this will help or should I separate them outside for longer?

 

[N F C]

Yes! I've put her and my other silkie together for a day with a fence between the larger chickens. I was thinking of bringing both of them inside for the night because it only helped a little when I separated them. Do you think this will help or should I separate them outside for longer?

I was referring to keeping the smaller ones as a separate flock from the others for good. A day here and there most likely won't make a difference in the bullying behavior.

 

[Alic3]

Oh, sorry for the misunderstanding. I think I could definitely make that work. Do you think it's just due to bullying? I would only be able to keep two in the separate flock. Is that to little?

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. It is very likely that they will have to be separated from the larger birds permanently. A day or two will only make things worse on reintroduction. You are likely dealing with attempts of the large roosters trying to breed the silkie hens. In addition to feather loss, they may physically injure the much smaller birds.

 

[Alic3]

Ok here are some pictures of her. They look smaller in the picture but are still accurate.

 

[Alic3]

 

[featherhead007]

I have no idea about silkies.
Sorry I can’t help you.
As stated, complete separation of the different birds might be better

 

[featherhead007]

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Treat your birds for fowl mites