Pulling out own feathers?

[Drother]

1 of my 7 quails is plucking out her own feathers. Is it possible that she is the only one infected with mites or parasites? They have plenty of space (4 sq feet per bird), fresh water, good quality layer feed, low stress. There are 6 hiding spots and 2 dust bath stations. I see her breaking off her own feathers. I put Desitin on her bare back and that helps but now she is pulling feathers off her chest. This seamed to start with hen pecking by others 4 months ago. The angry hens are gone now and they all get along but she pulls her own out now.
I don't find feathers on the floor, at least no more than 1 per week. Also today think I saw one mite between her toes. Everything else looks clean. Any Ideas?

 

[bantamluv]

Typically, if one bird has parasites, they all do. I don't have too much experience with quail so I probably won't be able to key in on a certain problem or solution right away, but I'll try my best. I'd go ahead and treat the whole flock for lice/mites, and dust the entire surface of her body. Put Vaseline on the legs of the quail to suffocate any mites. She could be molting, but I doubt it. I'd just treat for parasites and hope it helps.

-Rachel

 

[Drother]

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Can you recommend a brand of dust for mites? Anyone, tell me your experiences and what does or does not work on mites.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Never treat just one bird for mites or worms. Treat them all equally. A failure to do so will find you playing a losing game of "Musical Mites

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Can you recommend a brand of dust for mites? Anyone, tell me your experiences and what does or does not work on mites.

Dusting for mites is so 19th Century. Get a sprayer and some Pemerhatian concentrate and be mite free in a day, if it takes that long. Plus there is no egg withdrawal period.