new member with feather loss problem

[sugarmomma67]

I've researched many a concern on this site with good results. Having a problem with my black copper French marans losing their neck feathers. I have a mixed flock and my marans are the youngest being just over a year old. None of the other girls are losing feathers. I haven't left them out to free range lately due to fox problem. My rooster and one hen lost some neck feathers after a tumble with the neighborhood fox which I contributed to stress now my other maran hens are losing as well. Any ideas?

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Could they be starting to molt? (Check for pin feathers.) Molting often starts at the head/neck. Feather plucking by some of the other birds due to boredom from being locked up after free ranging more? Rooster damage on the other hens? Also check closely for lice/mites just in case.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

X2 Feather loss can be caused from aggression from being cramped or over heating, boredom or even illness within the flock. I would give everybody a good check up to make sure everybody is healthy. 4 to 5 square foot per bird in the coop, 10 square foot per bird in the run. Molting will cause feather loss and you can look for pin feathers growing on the head and neck to confirm molting. Mites and Lice can cause feather loss. Check around the base of the feathers, especially around the vent for dirty black gunk, eggs and the bugs themselves. You can sometimes see bug at night if you shine a flashlight on the birds and you can see mites crawling on the birds.

Good luck with your flock. I hope you can get this solved soon.

 

[drumstick diva]

You been given excellent advice here so I will just say Welcome to BYC, glad you joined us.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC!! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Like Two Crows said feather loss can be caused by several factors. Molting, lice/mites, pecking/aggression and boredom. Give them plenty of space, boredom busters, check for any parasites and of course, check for molting.

Best of luck!!

 

[sugarmomma67]

Thanks for all the great advice. Going out to the coop now with a headlamp to check on my flock.

 

[sugarmomma67]

Just checked the flock . I didn't find any parasites or scratches. It looks like some new feathers are forming . Their egg production has slacked off as well. It seems they are molting. Should I be supplementing with protein? What can I use?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Yes, feed them lots of protein. Mealworms, peas, quinoa, meat, etc are all good.

 

[amb8207]

hi, welcome to byc

 

[gander007]

So how are your chickens doing now ???