Ratty Feathers?

[Year of the Rooster]

Two of my Sebright hens have some ratty looking feathers on their tails. In March/April I plucked them because I thought they had been damaged beyond repair due to mating or mites. But now that they are coming in, they are still horrible. Is there a reason behind this? Is it genetic? Maybe they didn't receive enough protein during development? I'm puzzled..

 

[Mahonri]

Seabright frizzles?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Nope, they are not frizzles. It seems that only the tail feathers are like this.

This is a pic of one of the hens at about 6 weeks old. You can see the feathers are in bad shape. At that time none of the roos were mounting the hens so I knew it couldn't be from mating. Even after plucking them they are still coming in this way.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Seems like the surrounding sheath could be having difficulties disconnecting from the actual feather.

Are you having to scrape off the feather sheath??

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
Nope

I just let them grow and once they come out of the sheath they end up like that.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Just trying to cover the bases...have you moved them at all during the molt?

What are you feeding them during the molt? Have you tried increasing the protein during a molt to see if that helps? What about oils...have you increased oils as well?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
I haven't moved them at all during it. They still live in the same coop.

They eat 16% layer feed like the rest of the hens and they get the usual treats. I do, however, feed everyone some BOSS everday. I"m not sure what you mean by oils? Do you mean fats and carbohydrates?

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Yep...sorry! Used to calling them oils.

Yes it would be the BOSS that I would use as well to increase the oil production (fat breakdown..)

Is there any possibility of you getting a "special" bag of higher protein feed specifically for them? Just to "see"??

My Minorca always came out with those feathers. Had to scrunch out the feather sheath...ticked me off! GAH!

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
I am thinking about buying some Gamebird feed for them. If not, then I may try using some of the higher protein feed that is for broilers or meat birds. I think its around 20% or 26%? I remember seeing some at a TSC.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Anyone else have any guesses? I hope it's not a genetic thing..