pecked/picked feathers....(pic added)

[EurekaSouth]

I'm having the same issue, plus a little. Now that we don't have a rooster, my hens' back feathers are growing back, but there have been lots of fresh feathers all over the floor below their roost every morning - the smaller, downy ones - is this just a molt? Their laying has gone way down!

 

[orcasislandchickens]

AWWW. She'll look so pretty when they finish growing in. Yes re-growing feathers can stress them. Also the days are realy getting shorter right now and that reduces eglaying too so who knows? Keep us informed.

 

[danamillette]

Will do! Actually, when i looked at her this a.m. the quills look like they are fluffing out or feathering. This is my first go and having gals, and everything is so exciting! I will post another pic of them when i get a chance.
Thanks!!!!

 

[larlar23]

i have a question. i have two hens that are loosing there feathers are they molting? or do they have a skin disorder? they are going balled. and then i have some that are looseing there feathers under there but. what do i do? how can you tell if they have lice?
any help would be good. Thank You Laurie

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
How old are they? Most hens molt about 18 months-ish.

I have a chicken that looks bald like that, and she is growing her feathers back and now laying.

 

[larlar23]

not even 8 months old. is that normal?

 

[EurekaSouth]

Symptoms of lice are damaged feathers, not loss of feathers. Also, decreased laying, but if they're only 8 months old, that wouldn't be an issue. Lay them upside down on your lap and look closely at the skin around the vent and surrounding areas. Also, look at the base of the feathers around the vent, to see if there are any very small, white, eggs, glued together and to the shaft of the feathers.
Lice will usually infest the very young, the very old, and the immunocompromised. One may not show any signs, where another will, so you need to check several or all of them.
You can put diatomaceous earth (DE) in their dust bathing places and/or in their nests, and some people use Sevin dust the same way.
Anyone else??

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I amsure that mine was not quite 6 months old when we got her, and now she is around only 1 roo, she is feathering again. Is your roo doing this to her? She may be his favorite.

 

[larlar23]

i do dont know if my roo is doing it or not.i will put here with my other chicks right next door and see if that helps

 

[danamillette]

OK, here she is a few days later...feathering now!