Progressive Extreme Feather Loss

[abrooks99]

This hen, Poppy, has always been prone to injury, etc. This last month she’s begun losing a lot of feathering. I didn’t stress it, just thinking it’s hot and she is likely molting. Well, it’s now progressed to where her wings and sides are basically bare. She has no mites, no lice. Other than looking silly she’s totally normal, happy running around. What is this???

 

[Ajp23]

Still looks like a molt to me, some of mine molt gradually and some more aggressively and the skin becomes more irritated in the process.

But, do you have a rooster?

 

[Eggcessive]

She has some broken off feathers , especially in the second picture. What is her exact age? Most chickens molt around 16-18 months the first time, and then every year thereafter. Is there any overcrowding in the coop and run, and are they getting outside to free range? Are they eating mostly a layer or all flock feed with very limited treats or scraps?

 

[abrooks99]

Still looks like a molt to me, some of mine molt gradually and some more aggressively and the skin becomes more irritated in the process.

But, do you have a rooster?

She’s actually EXACTLY 18 months now. Yes, we do have a rooster.

 

[abrooks99]

She has some broken off feathers , especially in the second picture. What is her exact age? Most chickens molt around 16-18 months the first time, and then every year thereafter. Is there any overcrowding in the coop and run, and are they getting outside to free range? Are they eating mostly a layer or all flock feed with very limited treats or scraps?

She’s exactly 18 months. Coop is quite spacious and she roosts next to only one other chicken at night. They free range all day, are on a layer feed, and only get scraps once a week.

 

[Eggcessive]

Does she have any new feathers growing in? You will see some blue new feather shafts growing in. She may benefit of wearing a soft hen saddle for a bit. You can make one out of a 7-8 inch piece of soft polar fleece and cut 2 slits for the wings. It is held on by the wings. You also could separate the rooster so that he will not be constantly mating her. How do the other hens look? She might be his favorite. Do you see any lice or mites on her skin under her vent, belly and elsewhere? I would increase the protein in her diet while she is molting. Flock raiser feed has a bit mire protein. Egg or tuna as a small treat can add more as well. Hen saddles seen here:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/4151824650055276/

 

[abrooks99]

Does she have any new feathers growing in? You will see some blue new feather shafts growing in. She may benefit of wearing a soft hen saddle for a bit. You can make one out of a 7-8 inch piece of soft polar fleece and cut 2 slits for the wings. It is held on by the wings. You also could separate the rooster so that he will not be constantly mating her. How do the other hens look? She might be his favorite. Do you see any lice or mites on her skin under her vent, belly and elsewhere? I would increase the protein in her diet while she is molting. Flock raiser feed has a bit mire protein. Egg or tuna as a small treat can add more as well. Hen saddles seen here:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/4151824650055276/

Okay I’ll definitely up their protein. It’s funny because I rarely see the roo breed her. I do have two other hens that he definitely likes and you can see the typical wear and tear from him breeding them but it doesn’t look like this. She has no mites or lice, I checked her thoroughly on that, but she did have mites in the spring that I treated heavily and got rid of. I’ll check for feather regrowth!

 

[Eggcessive]

Feather picking by the other chickens could also be a problem.