My chicken is constantly plucking and preening herself!

[Capto Veritas]

Hey guys, my chicken is constantly plucking her feathers, and biting / preening herself. Is there something wrong, or is everything okay?

 

[azygous]

Excessive preening and self plucking can indicate a chicken who is in an unwell state of health. When a chicken doesn't feel particularly well, they comfort themselves with excessive preening and fluffing. It's a sign you'd be wise to uncover more clues as to her state of health.

Poop, appetite, general behavior and activity levels, etc.

 

[Capto Veritas]

Well, she is constantly pooping, eating, and drinking!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Have you checked for mites/lice?

 

[Capto Veritas]

How do I check that?

 

[21hens-incharge]

How do I check that?

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

The link above has great pictures....although they show more serious infestations.

The best time to check is at night when they have gone to roost. Grab a bird and inspect around the vent and under wings looking all the way down to the skin.

Run a paper towel along the underside of the roost too. If it comes back streaked with red there are mites. Not all mites live on the bird so this check is important.

 

[Capto Veritas]

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

The link above has great pictures....although they show more serious infestations.

The best time to check is at night when they have gone to roost. Grab a bird and inspect around the vent and under wings looking all the way down to the skin.

Run a paper towel along the underside of the roost too. If it comes back streaked with red there are mites. Not all mites live on the bird so this check is important.

Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

May also be a stress behavior due to the fact that she's being kept alone.

 

[Capto Veritas]

May also be a stress behavior due to the fact that she's being kept alone.

That makes sense.