New chickens, 1 unhealthy

[Dgwmama]

We have a young flock of chickens, and last night took in 5 RIRs (3 years old) that were about to be homeless, or dinner. We have them in their own coop, quarantining, but one of them looks VERY unhealthy, and I don’t know what it would be because her symptoms are all different.

She has missing and broken feathers on the back of her neck, I assume from being picked on, her breast is completely bare - not even stubs of feathers, and her crop feels swollen but soft. Her wings are very bare.

One other chicken is missing a few feathers on the back of her neck, so I assume for both chickens this means they have been picked on.

We checked for any kind of bugs, but didn’t see any. Also, it is frigid right now, so I would think mites and lice wouldn’t be a problem right now.

This is my first encounter with sickly chickens, so I have no idea what is going on with her and how we can help her.

 

[nuthatched]

Could be de plumming mites, genetics or poor diet. What are you feeding them now? They need some good protein to help regrow feathers

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She has missing and broken feathers on the back of her neck, I assume from being picked on, her breast is completely bare - not even stubs of feathers, and her crop feels swollen but soft. Her wings are very bare.

One other chicken is missing a few feathers on the back of her neck, so I assume for both chickens this means they have been picked on.

We checked for any kind of bugs, but didn’t see any. Also, it is frigid right now, so I would think mites and lice wouldn’t be a problem right now.

Photos of the birds standing by themselves may be good too.

Loss on the back of the head looks like typical mating loss.
Feathers are stripped, broken, nipped...could be mites/lice and yes winter is a great time to have an infestation. You may want to consider dusting them all with a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust.
They were destined to be homeless or for dinner...so living conditions/feed, etc. may have been poor.

Broken and stripped feathers will not be replaced until they molt. Get them on normal poultry feed free choice, provide fresh water, grit and oyster shell. If possible, get a fecal float to see if worms may be an issue.

 

[Dgwmama]

Could be de plumming mites, genetics or poor diet. What are you feeding them now? They need some good protein to help regrow feathers

I am giving them the layer pellets, mixed with some grower pellets, as well as whole grain corn, oats, and sunflower seeds. I have also been giving them meal worms in addition to allowing them to forage. I also put a little bit of oregano oil and ACV in their water.

 

[Dgwmama]

Photos of the birds standing by themselves may be good too.

Loss on the back of the head looks like typical mating loss.
Feathers are stripped, broken, nipped...could be mites/lice and yes winter is a great time to have an infestation. You may want to consider dusting them all with a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust.
They were destined to be homeless or for dinner...so living conditions/feed, etc. may have been poor.

Broken and stripped feathers will not be replaced until they molt. Get them on normal poultry feed free choice, provide fresh water, grit and oyster shell. If possible, get a fecal float to see if worms may be an issue.

I started them on a grower/layer pellet mix, since the grower pellets have higher protein. I have the oyster and grit out for them, also. When is a normal molt? I assumed it was when temps warm up, but I don’t actually know.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I started them on a grower/layer pellet mix, since the layer pellets have higher protein. I have the oyster and grit out for them, also. When is a normal molt? I assumed it was when temps warm up, but I don’t actually know.

Most hens molt in late summer or fall, but it depends on how old they are as well.
First adult molt is usually around 18months of age, then every year after.

 

[nuthatched]

I am giving them the layer pellets, mixed with some grower pellets, as well as whole grain corn, oats, and sunflower seeds. I have also been giving them meal worms in addition to allowing them to forage. I also put a little bit of oregano oil and ACV in their water.

Cut everything out of their diet except the formulated feed, including the stuff on the water. They need just plain old food and water right now.

 

[Dgwmama]

Cut everything out of their diet except the formulated feed, including the stuff on the water. They need just plain old food and water right now.

Stick with layer feed?

 

[nuthatched]

Stick with layer feed?

The mix of grower and layer. About 1 half to 60% grower, it's better for them.