Missing feathers near vent

[Wolfefarmyard]

Hi there!

We have a white Cochin hen who has no feathers around her vent area. We got her last month, she was already missing feathers. We assumed it was just a molt or maybe they had a chicken that was bullying her.

I’ve been waiting for them to grow back, but they haven’t! Any ideas?

I took some pictures with and without flash:

 

[Hanathehappyhen]

Your hen could be plucking out her own feathers (maybe out of stress) so you could try putting a diaper or cloth over her vent area, to stop her or other chickens from plucking the feathers out. She could also have parasites like lice and mites. Poke around her vent very gently and check if you can see any lice in her. After that you could try a dewormer, or give her a bath in warm water with no soap. I'm definitely not an expert on lice, but the information I've given you is stuff from my experience. Good luck!

 

[Nardo]

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

Your hen could be plucking out her own feathers (maybe out of stress) so you could try putting a diaper or cloth over her vent area, to stop her or other chickens from plucking the feathers out. She could also have parasites like lice and mites. Poke around her vent very gently and check if you can see any lice in her. After that you could try a dewormer, or give her a bath in warm water with no soap. I'm definitely not an expert on lice, but the information I've given you is stuff from my experience. Good luck!

Thank you, we have had a lice problem before, but I haven’t been able to spot any on her, even after letting her soak in the bath.

Did you say a dewormer would also treat lice??

 

[Hanathehappyhen]

When I said dewormer I didnt mean a medication but a natural dewormer such as DE or woodash. I would recommend woodash as DE could sting or hurt a wound. The woodash couldn't hurt the chicken as it is natural. You could also make sure she gets a dust bath spot so she can take care of mites or lice if she has any herself. Again good luck!

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

When I said dewormer I didnt mean a medication but a natural dewormer such as DE or woodash. I would recommend woodash as DE could sting or hurt a wound. The woodash couldn't hurt the chicken as it is natural. You could also make sure she gets a dust bath spot so she can take care of mites or lice if she has any herself. Again good luck!

Ah gotcha, we actually dust them anyways and they have access to dust bathing as well.

 

[Hanathehappyhen]

Ok sure

 

[happyhens1972]

I see a few new feathers coming above her vent in those pictures so it may just be a case of patience. I agree you should treat for lice/mites and observe her for any signs of her removing her own feathers or being plucked by others but you may find that it was due to previous bullying, at her old home, and now she just needs time to replace them. Some chooks will re-grow them quite quickly, some won't re-grow until after a molt so it could take a long time.

You might want to add some extra protein into her diet as it takes a lot of protein to produce feathers. You could cook eggs and feed back to her, give her cooked chicken. My girls' favourite source is mealworms....they go nuts for them!