Matted feathers under wing and smelly

[claire83]

I have a orpington/moran approx 18 weeks old under her wings are a small amount of what I can only describe as matted feathers only visible when you lift her wing. To look at she is otherwise neat and tidy and healthy as far as we can see. The skin just in this area looks a little dry and flackey and she smells in this area. No sign of mite at all. I have used diatom in this area as I have no clue what else I could try. Would appreciate your thoughts. Oh and breath does not smell it is just the area under the wing. Only had the chickens for 4 weeks or so the others have no problems.

 

[GrandmaChickie]

No sign of an injury at all? That was my first guess, but I'm not familiar with Orpingtons or Morans. I

 

[claire83]

Nothing at all injury wise just small area under the wings with matted feathers and she has a strong odour about her. She does peck into the area but no marks to the skin

 

[claire83]

Thinking about giving her a wash, but don't want to stress her if this is a common problem and there is something I can put on the area. Very new to keeping chickens.

 

[Kaitie09]

Don't know what it is, but I've never had a chicken get stressed about a bath. I had a broody hen who got poo'd on and it was all stuck to her feathers. I just sat her in lukewarm water and used Dawn dish soap to wash her off. As long as I kept a light hand on her back, she was perfectly fine.

 

[claire83]

Ok thank you I will give it a try. She is a good girl very quiet and gentle so hope it wont be too much of an ordeal. Do I just let her dry? I'm in south wales it's about 18 degrees

 

[GrandmaChickie]

Some of mine will sit for a hair dryer on low. They even seem to enjoy it!

 

[BlackPanther]

I have a blue Plymouth Rock who has matting in the under-feathers of her shoulders and underneath her wings.
Does anybody know what this problem is called?

 

[mgilpatrick]

I have 3 hens that are losing feathers under their wings. Is this molt or stress. They have been going thru a bout of dry pox but are on the healing side of it. Please help! Do I need to give them a supplement?