My chicken (only one!) is losing her feathers! It’s been 6 months and she feels fine.

[Holly7900]

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

That's either rooster damage, parasites, nutrient deficit, or bullying from another hen.

Is she the only one missing feathers or your only chicken?

 

[Holly7900]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

That's either rooster damage, parasites, nutrient deficit, or bullying from another hen.

Is she the only one missing feathers or your only chicken?

She’s the only one missing feathers. We had a rooster up until about a week ago. If it was parasites would the other chickens be affected also?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

She’s the only one missing feathers. We had a rooster up until about a week ago. If it was parasites would the other chickens be affected also?

It may very well be rooster damage then. She may have been his favorite or the most docile and easy to take advantage of.

Oddly enough... no not all chickens will suffer the same internal or external parasite load because they all have individual immune systems and things will attack the weakest link first and worst. Studies on California back yard flock showed 90% of the parasites inhabited only 10% of birds... in the same flocks.

If you want to look for parasites... part the feathers below the vent and look there.

But if you do treat, it's always suggested that you treat all... so no one is left out and becomes a target for said parasite.

She may not grow back in those feathers until she does a molt... if they were broken off at the shaft and not pulled all the way out type thing. Sometimes even pulled all the way out, they won't grow back until molt. Or some MIGHT grow back in... ya just never can tell what a birds body will do. But that red angry skin and sore spots should start to lighten and look more normal fairly soon if she isn't still being pecked at.

 

[Holly7900]

Thank you for your help!!

 

[aart]

Curious how old is bird and did you raise her from a chick?
Is she laying?

Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).



Oh, and...Welcome to BYC! (or at least posting here)
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[Holly7900]

Thank you for your response! She is 3 and yes we raised her from a chick. We treated all of our girls last night with poultry dust. I’ve also started spraying her with Vetericyn for chickens. I think she’s looking a little better.
We’re in Oklahoma!

 

[aart]

Did she molt last fall?

 

[Holly7900]

I can’t remember!! But I think so...?