Pekin not thriving in Flockdown 22

[dehill]

Hi all,

For the international readers here in the UK we’re struggling with avian flu and need to keep our flocks under cover for the next few months.

I moved my free range flock inside their coop and run a couple of weeks ago (pictures attached) and one of the Pekins looks in a bad way.

My black pekin was top of the pecking order, and always had a lovely full plumage. I’ve checked her today and most of the feathers around her neck are missing. Her wings have also been completely plucked, leaving her with little stumps. She tried to fly away from me and fell to the floor fairly ungraciously.

Anyone know what’s causing this and what I can do? Pictures of her, the flock and their living situation attached.

If it’s related, they’ve also all stopped laying. I presume either as it’s winter or in protest at being locked away. The others seem healthy enough.

All thoughts welcome.

 

[WingsysRoost]

My first guess would be either a hard molt or bullying. In my experience, bullying doesn't usually target the wing feathers, though, so I would be more inclined to assume hard molt as you said they've also stopped laying. How old is she? Do you know when her last molt was?

I wouldn't expect them to start picking on a bird that is higher up in the pecking order, either, not unless she has suddenly developed a health issue. Based on what I see in the pictures, though, she doesn't look ill aside from the missing feathers. I would do a full health inspection for her just to make sure there isn't any potential problems developing (and maybe some monitoring at a distance to catch any behavior issues if you do believe they are picking on her for some reason).

How big is the space they have, and how many birds do you have in the space? Have you checked for any mites or lice?

 

[dehill]

Thank you. Yes, I guess she is molting. I didn’t know what it was until you mentioned it!! I’m no expert.

She is about 15 months old.

She shares a 24sqft coop and 100sqft run as part of a flock of 7 bantams. Although I am thinking about adding a couple of hybrids to up egg production, that would probably max out the space.

I do check around the vent regularly for anything unusual, but have to be honest I’m not sure what I’m looking for. I mist the coop with DE powder occasionally.

 

[21hens-incharge]

DE is ineffective at treating an active infestation. It is also a serious lung irritant for them and humans.

This is a fantastic article that can help you identify if there are mites.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-fleas-dealing-with-external-parasites.74599/

 

[dehill]

Thank you! Some bedtime reading to make my skin crawl!!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Sorry.

It is good information to have though.