Molt, Mites, Misdemeanors?

[Dovya]

Are you sure you don’t have any parasites in the coop or on you’re chickens?
Are the chickens restless? Did you look with a torch at night?

How do I figure out if I have parasites? What do I look for with a torch at night?

 

[Dovya]

This is a fantastic recommendation. I will do that. Are the mites or parasites big enough to see with a naked eye?

And - if it is mites - do you have any recommendations for treating them?

 

[Aunt Angus]

And - if it is mites - do you have any recommendations for treating them?

I adopted a couple of hens this past summer, and they came with live. Ew.

I used permethrin spray and sprayed it right on the birds. Then I cleaned out EVERYTHING. Thoroughly. And sprayed everything. I did that again after about a week. Worked like a charm.

 

[Dovya]

I adopted a couple of hens this past summer, and they came with live. Ew.

I used permethrin spray and sprayed it right on the birds. Then I cleaned out EVERYTHING. Thoroughly. And sprayed everything. I did that again after about a week. Worked like a charm.

Interesting - okay - I'll look for permethrin spray at the feed store and clean everything out. Poor girl. I guess the other possibility is that she's being pecked; if I rule out the mites that would be the next thing to tackle.

 

[Dovya]

Can you post a photo of the whole bird too?
How much space do you have in your coop/run?
Any chance you have a cockerel?

Do they have access to dirt for dust bathing?

Looking them over for lice/mites is a good idea, but I would also observe the flock interactions. I see some broken feathers.....
Could be pecking at one another. In the photo that looks like it's at the base of the tail and the little irritated nub is the preening gland - is that correct?

Hi! I just looked up preening gland and, yes, I believe that’s what it is! Now I’m more worried.
l believe they have plenty of space - we built an upstairs coop space and downstairs run with dirt to dirt bathe in which I love watching them do.

 

[BDutch]

Then the space and hiding possibilities could be an issue. First thing to do is seperate the injured chicken to heal. And maybe improve the setup in the mean time if possible or sell a couple of birds to someone else.

How many chickens do you have? How big is you’re coop? How big is the run? Do they have access to the run as soon as the sun is up ? Can you take some pictures.

And don’t feel embarrassed if you didn’t provide enough space. Those who sell coops/runs for chickens often claim you can keep twice the number of chickens as is okay to keep them healthy and happy. Most coops have not enough ventilation too.

 

[MissE]

Some, but not all, of mine get that fluffy butt look when it's cold. Fluff butt in the morning, no fluff butt mid day when it warms up, fluff butt again when sleeping on the roost.

You could try some Blu-Kote on the broken feathers. If nothing else, it will hide the blood and keep the others from pecking at that spot.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi! I just looked up preening gland and, yes, I believe that’s what it is! Now I’m more worried.
l believe they have plenty of space - we built an upstairs coop space and downstairs run with dirt to dirt bathe in which I love watching them do.

Please post some photos of your set-up and your birds.
Also tell us what you feed including treats.
Sometimes we feel they have plenty of room, but some birds need more space so if you have the dimensions of your coop/run that would be good too.
I would recommend that you put Pine Tar on the exposed skin to hopefully reduce picking/plucking.

How much space do you have in your coop/run?
Any chance you have a cockerel?