Molt or mites?

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

wondering if this is molt or if it’s mites? Or what it could be?

These are the feathers she is loosing

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

So on her back the scabs look like spur marks. All of her feathers look like down. She was born in the spring. A lot of the ones her age have the down looking feathers falling off

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

I guess just for precaution I’ll get some DE to dust her off. Her egg production is steady too. Hasn’t dropped off. No dander but lots of missing feathers on back and under wing

 

[Eggcessive]

It could be feather picking or molting. DE will not treat a mite or lice infestation. If you see live lice or mites, or their eggs, use a pemethrin product liquid spray or garden dust.

 

[rebrascora]

Do you have a cockerel? It looks like it could be mating damage from an inexperienced male. The feather you are holding up is clearly broken off.

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

Oh I have seven dust! I can do that and I have permethrin. 10% 1.5pz a gallon?

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

That particular feather can off when I put her down! My bad. But yes he is not even a year old.

 

[rebrascora]

Cockerels are a pain, especially when raised with pullets the same age and no older birds to keep them in line and teach them some manners. He will be all hormones and no technique and it leads to this sort of damage to the pullets. This particular pullet may be targeted by him more than others because she is bigger and therefore slower to get out of his way or lower in the pecking order.... basically it is probably easier for him to grab and mate her than the others, so she is getting the brunt of his amorous attentions.

 

[PirateGirl]

It looks more like broken/damaged feathers, and the worst spot looks to be above the base of the tail. These two things make me think it's the work of your cockerel or a bully hen. If it was molting you'd see new pin feathers growing in and you wouldn't have those raw spots on the skin.

You could check the coop for mites after dark or check around the vent and under the wings, but I don't think you have a mite problem.

 

[rebrascora]

They can sometimes sustain nasty gashes under their wings with such a cockerel caused by their nails when they slip because they have not learned to balance whilst mating or the pullet is trying desperately to get away instead of squatting and submitting to him. Best to remove young males for a few months in such a situation until the pullets have matured more and his hormones have settled down a bit. The broken feathers will not be replaced until she moults nest autumn/fall so don't expect her to look better anytime soon and it will get worse if he is left in with them to continue this behaviour. I am sure if you spend some time watching your flock you will see that he is the problem.