Rooster is eating his own feathers?

[Chicken_lover1]

My rooster is pulling out all his tail and saddle feathers . Also the skin around his vent and what I think is his oil gland is very red . Does anyone know why this is happening. I don't think it is mites because I have been putting DE on him and it doesn't seem to be helping.

 

[chickenlittle21]

He may need more protein

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

DE doesn't get rid of mites. I'm treating my chickens for mites right now. Permethrin is what I'm using and it seems to he working quite well. My roosters vents looked far worae than my hen and they were all pulling their feathers out.

 

[Chicken_lover1]

DE doesn't get rid of mites. I'm treating my chickens for mites right now. Permethrin is what I'm using and it seems to he working quite well. My roosters vents looked far worae than my hen and they were all pulling their feathers out.

Ok I will try that thanks

 

[aart]

Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

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

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

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.

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

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[Chicken_lover1]

Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

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

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

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.

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

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

I have checked them but not at night. I will check again tonight. Thanks