Molt/Mites/Lice???

[Joneseashley]

Hello!

My rooster has a bald patch on his head and was wondering if it looks like he’s molting or perhaps, if we have a mite issue. We live in rather cold weather (Canada) and concerned the lack of feathers will be an issue. I’ve attached some pictures ! Thank you so much for some feedback!

 

[featherhead007]

Not sure on this one, cant tell by the pictures. ho many hens do you have, do you have another roo, how, and where does he sleep? check there for mites and other bad critters.
Good looking rooster though!

 

[azygous]

That's not a typical molt pattern, and the red skin irritations aren't part of molt, either. Lice wouldn't irritate the skin like that, and you would be able to easily see them on the chicken, especially around the vent.

You need to inspect the coop at night for coop mites crawling on the perches and the legs of the chickens.

You may also have a feather picker. You need to find time to observe your flock and see who may be nibbling on his neck.

 

[cmom]

Can't tell from the pictures. It could be that bird is getting picked on by others or possibly a pest problem. The best time to check your birds for pests is at night after they go to roost. Some mites only come out at night to feed on the birds. I use a headlamp so I have both of my hands free to handle the birds. Good luck...

 

[Joneseashley]

Not sure on this one, cant tell by the pictures. ho many hens do you have, do you have another roo, how, and where does he sleep? check there for mites and other bad critters.
Good looking rooster though!

We have 5 hens and he is the only rooster. He usually sleeps somewhere in the middle of the group on the perch but was sleeping on the floor of the coop when I checked tonight.

 

[Joneseashley]

Can't tell from the pictures. It could be that bird is getting picked on by others or possibly a pest problem. The best time to check your birds for pests is at night after they go to roost. Some mites only come out at night to feed on the birds. I use a headlamp so I have both of my hands free to handle the birds. Good luck...

I’m currently leaning towards him being picked on.

Checked the coop and birds tonight but didn’t find any critters on the birds or in the coop. It’s currently -20 where I live and not sure how active mites would be at this temperature.

Thank you for your reply!

 

[Joneseashley]

We have 5 hens and he is the only rooster. He usually sleeps somewhere in the middle of the group on the perch but was sleeping on the floor of the coop when I checked tonight.

Thank you for your reply!

 

[Joneseashley]

That's not a typical molt pattern, and the red skin irritations aren't part of molt, either. Lice wouldn't irritate the skin like that, and you would be able to easily see them on the chicken, especially around the vent.

You need to inspect the coop at night for coop mites crawling on the perches and the legs of the chickens.

You may also have a feather picker. You need to find time to observe your flock and see who may be nibbling on his neck.

Thanks! I’ll take some extra time to inspect the flock and see if someone is nibbling on his neck. Checked over all the chickens tonight and didn’t find any critters.

 

[featherhead007]

Very interesting, Some sort of enigma. There has to be an explanation to this problem.
Something we may be missing...But no giving up!