Missing feathers!!!!!

[soratos]

My barred rock is one of 4 girls in our backyard flock. We do not have a Roo.

[/IMG]She is the only one with this issue. We use DE in the coop and clean it regularly. What is going on?

 

[soratos]

 

[aswartzalso]

I got same thing happening. Any ideas?

 

[Sethseger]

How long has it been going on? Could she be molting?

 

[aswartzalso]

Two months..no rooster...only one of seven hens....

 

[Michael Apple]

Some hens pull feathers when they nest. it is instinctual. All chickens moult. So long as you don't see any mites/lice when parting the feathers and going over the bird's body, it is likely the last two I mentioned. Supplement water at least 3 days a week with vitamin-electrolyte-probiotic dispersible powder. Avoid treats like scratch grains during moult in warm weather, and give treats like crimped oats, no salt tuna maybe once a week, and keep them on a good quality layer ration.