Missing Feathers on Chicken Butts

[hihuckleberry]

Hi everyone,

As I mentioned before, I'm totally new to chickens. Just brought home 3 pullets last week. They are all missing feathers on their butts, looks like they had been pecking at each other. The man at the feed barn said they just had anxiety from being at the store, confined, and should grow the feathers back when in their new home. Is this true? I can't find a lot of info about butt feather picking. It seems like other pullets I've seen online have nice healthy butt feathers. Is there anything I can do to help regrow feathers? Or is this a disease? They don't seem to be pecking at each other anymore.

Also as they get older and turn into mature chickens, will their feathers become more fluffy and full?

Thanks so much! Sorry for all the questions. Feeling a little overwhelmed.

 

[sylviethecochin]

He's probably right about it being anxiety. You can also check for evidence of lice and mites, which sometimes cause feather loss. If you find any, buy a permethrin-based insecticide spray and use it.

Feed them some high-protein feed to help them grow more feathers. And yes, feathers often get fluffier as they mature, though that depends somewhat on breed. What are they?

Good luck with your new birds and welcome to BYC!

 

[hihuckleberry]

He's probably right about it being anxiety. You can also check for evidence of lice and mites, which sometimes cause feather loss. If you find any, buy a permethrin-based insecticide spray and use it.

Feed them some high-protein feed to help them grow more feathers. And yes, feathers often get fluffier as they mature, though that depends somewhat on breed. What are they?

Good luck with your new birds and welcome to BYC!

Thank you! I have a australorp, Ameraucna, and a plymouth rock.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Yep, those should get fairly fluffy--especially the Australorp.