Missing feathers for months!

[BabyGotQuack]

Hello, I’m a new member to BYC but have been reading threads for the last couple years. I have 4 chickens (2 years old) who have been missing feathers for months! My first guess is that my drake ducks are ripping them out but can’t be sure. All my ducks are fully feathered so I didn’t think it would be lice or mites, I’ve also done DE in the coup several times. Does anyone know what this could be and how to fix? I’ll attach pics.

 

[cmom]

I had some birds that looked very similar to the ones in the pictures. When I checked them during the day I didn't see anything on them but when I check them after they roosted they were loaded with mites. I'm not saying that's what it is but I would still check. Again, good luck...

 

[cmom]

I do use poultry dust in the nest boxes and I think it helps. There is no egg withdrawal period with permethrin so the eggs are safe to eat.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Some mite infestations are bad enough they permanently damage feather follicles.

 

[cmom]

It's difficult to examine the birds with a flashlight that is why I wear a head lamp so I have both of my hands free to inspect the birds. Take some paper towels out in the evening and wipe the roosts especially under them and look for streaks on the paper towels. That is usually a sign there are mites. I use the Permethrin concentrate but I have a lot of coops and when I treat one coop I treat them all. Permethrin is also available in the premix. Good luck...

 

[cmom]

From the pictures it doesn't appear to be from over mating.

 

[BabyGotQuack]

Do you have a rooster ?I couldn't tell by the photos sorry!

Nope! No roosters

 

[BabyGotQuack]

If a Rooster tried to fight a Drake it would have feather loss on its neck.

One of my hens, the one that looks the worst is very “roostery” if that’s a word haha. She’s very aggressive and will spur at me, (she has no Spurs) she’s also the one who pesters the ducks the most, that’s why I thought maybe it was the ducks fighting back cause she is far worse then the rest of my more gentle hens

 

[BabyGotQuack]

In the absence of a rooster there's usually one that steps up and assumes the role of the rooster. But if doesn't explain why the gentle hens are also missing feathers.The ones with the least and most feather loss appear in the last photo.

Yes the last photo is of my most aggressive hen. I’m gonna check tonight for mites, and go from there. I tried this morning but it was already too light and they were out of the coop.

 

[BabyGotQuack]

I had some birds that looked very similar to the ones in the pictures. When I checked them during the day I didn't see anything on them but when I check them after they roosted they were loaded with mites. I'm not saying that's what it is but I would still check. Again, good luck...

I did check the during the day a while ago and also saw nothing so I will be doing it tonight, thank you!