Please help solve Mystery...Is this pecking?

[bragabit]

I have 8 hens:

Here is the pecking order from my point of view:

Barred Rock (no missing feathers) Never seen mating w/ Roo

SilverSpangled Hamburg (couple peck marks on head) mates w/ roo

SilverSpangled Hamburg (couple peck marks on head new quarter sized bald patch on back) mates w/ roo

EE (Palm sized bald spot on back) mates w/ roo

EE (2 palm sized bald spots and missing elbow feathers) mates w/ roo

EE (Bare back no feathers missing Elbow feathers) mates w/ roo

EE (Bare Back with most elbow and some wing feathers gone) mates w/ roo

EE (Bare Back, Wings and Head) mates w/ Roo

When I bring treats out, before we got this roo the barred rock would be first to eat. Now that we have the roo he chases the barred rock off and lets the other hens eat first.

The ladies free range in the pasture all day long and go to the coop at night at their leisure. They have grain and layer mix in the coop and several water stations through out the pasture.

I watch through my back window all day long. I see the roo mate, but never pull feathers. How are these hens losing all their feathers? Are they doing it at night? Is it the Roo? The Barred Rock? Or is it all of them?

I have bought some saddles that are going to arrive shortly, but that won't help the missing head and wing feathers..

 

[debilorrah]

It looks to me like you have an over zealous roo!!!!!

 

[bragabit]

But the roo is just a little tiny Banty?? I can't imagine the mating would even get close to the side Elbow feathers??

 

[bragabit]

bump...anyone??

 

[HenPen]

I have the same thing and my one hen that still has almost all her feathers is the plucker she is plucking the others....maybe you have the same thing going on.

 

[rigagirl]

check for mite...that is bad!

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Yes, certainly check for mites but that looks like classic mating feather loss from the Roo treading. Even little Banty Roo's can be very passionate lovers!

 

[Dr.Doorlock]

Put some pinless peepers on that roo until the girls get feathered up again.....if it's not mites.

 

[bragabit]

Quote:
How do you check for mites?

 

[miss_jayne]

mites come out at night. check around the vent and under the wings.

it looks as if the girls are being over-mated. the feather loss pattern is consistent with it. it is not from plucking or pulling of feathers.
it's from holding on to the girls with beak and feet/spurs. get the saddles on them asap. try isolating the roo for awhile.

mite and lice feather loss is generally around vent area and under the wings. accompanied by red skin.

hope your girls heal up nicely.