Molting, Pecking Order or Mites

[Missy83617Girl]

We recently had a mite infestation that was resolved after various treatments by Elector (great stuff). A few weeks later my frizzle lost all the feathers on her chest, belly and tail. Was this caused by the mites, molting, being pecked by the other 3 girls or pecking herself? She has continued to lay eggs and was broody a few weeks after the mite incident. We do not have a rooster. She is at the bottom of the pecking order but the other girls just seem to chase her away and don't appear aggressive. We did let our silkie hatch a few of a friend's eggs and she was a bit onery but didn't seem that bad. She was stressed by all the mite treatments, rubbing powders, oils, etc on her which may be the culprit. Anyone with a similar incident? Thanks you guys are so helpful.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We recently had a mite infestation that was resolved after various treatments by Elector (great stuff). A few weeks later my frizzle lost all the feathers on her chest, belly and tail. Was this caused by the mites, molting, being pecked by the other 3 girls or pecking herself? She has continued to lay eggs and was broody a few weeks after the mite incident. We do not have a rooster. She is at the bottom of the pecking order but the other girls just seem to chase her away and don't appear aggressive. We did let our silkie hatch a few of a friend's eggs and she was a bit onery but didn't seem that bad. She was stressed by all the mite treatments, rubbing powders, oils, etc on her which may be the culprit. Anyone with a similar incident? Thanks you guys are so helpful.

Can you post some photos of her?
Do you see new feathers coming in?

Everything you mention is a possibility of the cause of feather loss. She was broody, most hens go through some type of molt when coming out of being broody. A broody is also known to pluck feathers from their chest and belly for greater contact of the eggs.
The tail? Could be picking or molt. Extreme stress can also induce molting as well.

Is she eating/drinking o.k.?

 

[Missy83617Girl]

She is eating and drinking, she free ranges all day.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It looks like she has new growth coming in. I would still check her over for lice/mites, but give her a couple of weeks to see if she starts to feather out.

 

[Dax and Chickens]

My chickens (3) have bare bums and bellies. Ruled out all the regular stuff - not broody, not picking. BUT I caanot find any mites. I am going to treat them but should I be able to see them on their bum or in the coop ?

 

[Missy83617Girl]

Mine were so bad you could see them on the eggs, nest, coop, myself and the white silkie who was sitting. Could not see them on the 3 dark chickens. However it is the dark frizzle who is now bald on tail and belly. I have not had any bites since I used the Elector so am assuming it did the trick. This was a month ago we had mites. I continue to clean and use DE everywhere.