Mites??

[Chickenmarsala]

Hey everyone
I have a chicken that's missing a whole bunch of feathers. Does she have mites? Hey belly is missing a lot of feathers and is very flaky and right under her vent she has a weird ball that feels soft, kinda like a balloon, and it's missing feathers as well and is red. Anyone have any idea of what it could be? I can take better pictures if need be. Thanks guys!

 

[Kathy Golla]

She’s picking out her feathers between her legs so that she can keep her egg warm when she sits on it. Some people might call it a broody hen, but three of my girls look just like this right now and they are not “ textbook” broody. I figure it’s summer, call it natural air conditioning,and molt is coming up in the fall anyway. The red lump I am not sure. If the hen is very overweight, they can have a swelling under the vent. Make sure you are feeding a good layer diet with no more than 5% of their daily diet being treats. Scratch grain is considered a treat.

 

[Birds of a Feather]

Is she broody?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sounds "broody" to me, has she been sitting in the nest box alot? Not sure about that "red" part.

To check for mites, check the vent area & under her wings, you'll see tiny critters moving around. Run your hand under the roost, do you feel anything crawling on you? You can also stick your hand/arm in the nest box, do you feel anything? You could also go out at dark with a flashlight, check under the roosts & around the nest box, you'll see mites if they have them.

How old is she?
Has she been laying? If so when was the last time she laid?
What are you feeding?

 

[rebelusa2000]

I have the same problem with Bok Bwok. She doesn't look good. I have a sand, demetrios Earth mixture I keep for them all to bathe in. I also put the sand/earht in the nesting boxes. I have about 9 broody hens, but I put them out into the run everyday and close the coop. Here is a picture of Bok Bwok.

 

[Kathy Golla]

Is bok bwok broody? Broody hens molt and that looks like the result of a hard molt.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I have the same problem with Bok Bwok. She doesn't look good. I have a sand, demetrios Earth mixture I keep for them all to bathe in. I also put the sand/earht in the nesting boxes. I have about 9 broody hens, but I put them out into the run everyday and close the coop. Here is a picture of Bok Bwok.

Best way to break a Broody is the wire cage, the longer you wait then longer it takes. I've tried removing Broody from the nest whenever I saw her sitting, got ALOT of exercise. I blocked off the nest box after they all laid but that didn't stop her, she joined in and took the eggs. Gave in and got the wire cage, worked and will continue to go that route if I need to again.

 

[Farmgirl217]

I have the same exact problems with a few of my girls as well. Mine aren't the typical 'broody' either. My girls seem to be healthy and happy and don't seem to ever mind when I collect eggs. Mine are not flaky, or have the red lump, just keep an eye out to see if things get any worse. Good luck with your chickens!

 

[rebelusa2000]

Is bok bwok broody? Broody hens molt and that looks like the result of a hard molt.

No, she's the one who had the 1 surviving chick. She is losing more and more interest in him. I have him listed for free with a small amount of food to go with him.

 

[Ila88]

I have the same problem with Bok Bwok. She doesn't look good. I have a sand, demetrios Earth mixture I keep for them all to bathe in. I also put the sand/earht in the nesting boxes. I have about 9 broody hens, but I put them out into the run everyday and close the coop. Here is a picture of Bok Bwok.

That looks like molting to me.