New Member needing help

[dlapka582]

Hi everybody!

I have five hens, four Americaunas and one White Leghorn. The White Leghorn is the only that is fully feathered. The others have no tail feathers and are, to varying extent, lacking body feathers. Their yard is 32-ft x 12-ft and has two separate roosting and laying coops. We've dusted them several times for lice and mites. We've tried the "feather foods", as well. Any suggestions?

 

[BlueBaby]

Hi everybody!

I have five hens, four Americaunas and one White Leghorn. The White Leghorn is the only that is fully feathered. The others have no tail feathers and are, to varying extent, lacking body feathers. Their yard is 32-ft x 12-ft and has two separate roosting and laying coops. We've dusted them several times for lice and mites. We've tried the "feather foods", as well. Any suggestions?

Hello, and welcome to BYC! It might be that the White Leghorn is the dominate hen, and could be pulling the feathers out of your Americaunas.

 

[drumstick diva]

Could it be that some are molting?

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas and ! Great to have you in our community! I'm stumped on your missing feathers situation. . Hope someone chimes in with ideas. Best wishes!

 

[Cynthia12]

Been like that for a while? I agree, separate them.

 

[CuzChickens]

Hello there, and welcome to Backyard Chickens! If it is not parasites, I do wonder if its molting? Leghorns don't really have the temperament, or size to be dominate, and Leghorns are such hardcore layers that they don't have as hard molts, just IMO.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us. Dominance and feather pecking are not related. Could it be that your leghorn is young and hence not going through moult, while your remaining flock are over a year old?

I agree that separating the leghorn would at least confirm if she is responsible for the feather pecking. If she is, its a behavioural displacement issue (and not related to nutritional deficiencies, assuming you a feeding a proprietary food), but cross that bridge when, and if you come to it (i.e. post again and we will try and give some advice).

Let us know how things turn out.

Best wishes
CT

 

[N F C]

Thanks for joining us, it's nice to have you here!

 

[Chicken Girl1]

Hello

and Welcome to BYC!

 

[RodNTN]

Hi and

I am glad you joined us, I think it is molting. Since a few of my hens are molting right now, and when they molt they are BARE! Especially my Light Brahma, she is just now getting her tail feathers back, and a lot of her body feathers are gone. A few weeks ago one of my Easter Egger hens was the same. If your feeding them "feather foods", or "feather fixers", I would say they should regrow their feathers sometime soon. I hope you enjoy BYC and best wishes!