Pullet feathers?

[hihuckleberry]

Hi,

I have 3 birds between the ages of 6-8 months. They all have no butt feathers (they came like that from the feed barn i bought them from, apparently they would pick at each other). they are just starting to grow back, i see some fluff. is it normal for pullets to have very little tail? when will they grow a big fluffy butt like the ones i see others have?

 

[The Phantom]

Have you checked them for mites?

 

[hihuckleberry]

Have you checked them for mites?

no how do i do that? they don’t seem itchy or anything

 

[sylviethecochin]

Are they actually missing feathers or are they rumpless? The {EDT: the one in front} almost looks like an araucana crossbred to me.

EDT: Unusual amounts of preening, egg sacs in clusters around the hens' vents, and patches of missing feathers can all indicate mites or lice.

 

[The Phantom]

Look for tiny bugs around their vents

 

[The Phantom]

They will be in the feathers and on the skin

 

[hihuckleberry]

no how do i do that? they don’t seem itchy or anything

just bought some DE! Yes they are missing feathers on their butts i can see pink skin.

 

[hihuckleberry]

Are they actually missing feathers or are they rumpless? The {EDT: the one in front} almost looks like an araucana crossbred to me.

EDT: Unusual amounts of preening, egg sacs in clusters around the hens' vents, and patches of missing feathers can all indicate mites or lice.

they are missing feathers! i can see their skin

 

[aart]

Check them over real well for mites and/or lice.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

If you do find some...check out this thread:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134783/permethrin-spray

 

[hihuckleberry]

Is it possible that they do not have mites but have lost feathers due to stress or others pecking at them? I noticed they peck each others butts a lot....