Red Bare Skin Near Tail (No Rooster)

[Zyxthior]

One of Hen (either a Black Australorp or Jersey Giant...I can't tell the two apart) has a bare spot on her back near her tail where the skin is quite red and raw. We first noticed it in early spring after the snow melted and the chickens started to free range again. I was thinking it might have been a molting process, but now after a couple of months it doesn't seem to be any better.

I don't see any fleas or mites when I pick her up, and its only impacting her and not the other 7 chickens. I've dusted the coop and nest boxes with D.E. My wife says she's seen the hen peck at her own backside a couple of times so I don't think it's another aggressive hen (and we don't have a rooster either).

Any thoughts of what we can do to help the girl out? She's gonna need some feather for insulation before the winter comes again.

 

[Habibs Hens]

the back is red raw

could be red mite

you may nit find them on her as they hide during the day

you did good to dust

 

[ernie85017]

Loooks like her buddies are pecking out her feathers.
Blu Kote will help. Till you get it, a thick coating of vaseline to soothe the skin.

 

[seminolewind]

One of my hens looks like that. I don't know why her feathers are missing, but her skin is red from sunburn.

 

[Zyxthior]

do you think all the other chickens would have the same thing on them if it were mites? Guess we will clean out coop, dust it with DE, give her a DE bath? and get some Blue Kote to put on her? what would you do if it were your chicken?

 

[Jordi15]

Ive had a few chickens go bald like that ! If her chicken friends are feather pecking... They might be bored or overcrowded. overcrowding was part of my problem. If its her pecking her own feathers and shes eating them, you might up her protein. I've hung a protein quail block in my run from a hanging planter, and they can peck at it whenever without being able to jump on top and poop on it. I've also mixed in boss in their scratch and they get that every other day. I'm slowly seeing naked butts getting feathers again.

 

[Zyxthior]

where did you get the protein block? cant seem to find it online. and Boss?

 

[Jordi15]

Walmart has one in the garden section, also home depot. I got my block at a pet store and b.o.s.s black oil sunflower seeds I got that at home depot.

 

[Zyxthior]

thank you

 

[Jordi15]

Youre welcome