Naked butts

[Colberon]

Now that the snow is gone and their fenced in area has dried up I had an opportunity to go into their run and pick them up and look them over and I think that it might be lice. I did some research and they can cause bald spots; I have purchased dust to put on them!

 

[aart]

I did some research and they can cause bald spots; I have purchased dust to put on them!

What kind of 'dust' did you purchase?
I wouldn't treat them unless you see the lice or mites.

My Bug Check notes:
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).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008