Scaly leg mites? Or something else?

[renk777]

Research Neem Oil.

Spraying your birds and or coop with one of these below isn't going to kill off all your bees, IMO.

Pyrethrin
Pyrethrin is an organic liquid concentrate derived form the flower Chrysanthemum Cinerariifolium, also known as mums. Mums are naturally resistant to pests thanks to the pyrethrin in their chemistry which is a natural neurotoxin. Pyrethrin (MSDS) is considered to be a safe, low-toxicity pesticide that is easily inactivated in the mammalian or avian body, however it is highly toxic to insects, cats, fish and aquatic invertebrates. Pyrethrin does not last long and biodegrades quickly which is good for the environment. You can find this as an active ingredient of many mite and lice sprays found in retail stores.

Permethrin
Permethrin is the synthetic version of Pyrethrin. It does not degrade quickly like Pyrethrin, so it offers residual efficacy giving it more time to kill more bugs. In field and garden applications, permethrin leaves residuals that wash into waterways and cause serious ecological issues, but this is not a major concern for us since we are spraying a small amount of it directly on our birds and coop, not over acres of farmland. Just like Pyrethrin, Permethrin (MSDS) is a low-toxicity pesticide that is easily inactivated in the mammalian and avian body, however it is highly toxic to insects, cats, fish and aquatic invertebrates. This product is a common active ingredient in retail pest sprays and concentrates, it’s used in the Nix shampoo so many school children have used to rid themselves of lice and it’s on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines. Many military and hiking product companies treat uniforms, bug nets and other clothing items with this to guard against biting insects, especially in areas where malaria is prevalent. You can find different liquid concentrations of permethrin in farm stores and online.

Neem is what I've been using. I'm a big fan of neem. So I guess the Pyrethrin is safer but longevity isn't very good and Permethrin is more toxic but sticks around longer. I suppose I prefer the Pyrethrin then...would rather apply more often knowing it'll degrade faster. I have cats and they frequent the chicken area in search of rats so the warning regarding cats with the Permethrin worries me. The one cat gets into EVERYTHING...royal PITA he is :/

 

[renk777]

They should not molt until late summer/fall.

They're 18 months...temps are still pretty cold. You don't think they might molt now? This will be our first molt experience so I'm not sure. I heard some will molt in the Spring and the neck feathers started disappearing a few weeks ago when temps were still in the 20s at night and daytime was often in the 30s to low 40s...

 

[coach723]

Dispatching 6 birds and changing the roo ratio was more than enough to set off a pecking order reset. The numbers of birds that will work in a space is more determined by the birds themselves, personality and temperament. Any change can upset the apple cart. One bossy hen can make a space too small all the sudden when it was working before. One randy rooster can make the space REALLY small. Flock dynamics are fluid so something to always be aware of. And as @KikisGirls said, if your coops are pre-mades, they usually way overestimate the numbers of birds they are really adequate for. Also, if it was cold and they were spending more time inside, space may have been at a premium. Molt usually happens in summer, late summer or early fall. It CAN happen at unusual times, but that is the 'norm'. I didn't see anything that looked like a pin feather in your pictures, so didn't think it looked like molt. You should see pin feathers coming in if they are molting. There are always a lot of variables in every situation, just trying to give you some things to consider.

 

[renk777]

Dispatching 6 birds and changing the roo ratio was more than enough to set off a pecking order reset. The numbers of birds that will work in a space is more determined by the birds themselves, personality and temperament. Any change can upset the apple cart. One bossy hen can make a space too small all the sudden when it was working before. One randy rooster can make the space REALLY small. Flock dynamics are fluid so something to always be aware of. And as @KikisGirls said, if your coops are pre-mades, they usually way overestimate the numbers of birds they are really adequate for. Also, if it was cold and they were spending more time inside, space may have been at a premium. Molt usually happens in summer, late summer or early fall. It CAN happen at unusual times, but that is the 'norm'. I didn't see anything that looked like a pin feather in your pictures, so didn't think it looked like molt. You should see pin feathers coming in if they are molting. There are always a lot of variables in every situation, just trying to give you some things to consider.

Makes sense.... For now, our girls are on the 2 year plan so we'll hopefully only deal with flock resets every 2 years...perfect case scenario. Looking to move so when we do, I plan to have much more space per bird and separate paddocks/runs/coops. Haven't found the right property yet but I will For now, I have a great roo who isn't too randy and most of the hens are pretty mellow. I'll inspect for pin feathers when I go out in a bit. Would really hate for them to molt right now anyway...just when they're starting to lay again! But if it's not molt, than those bare necks have me worried all over again. Just can't win with chickens, can ya? LOL

 

[Kiki]

I think your coop is part of the problem.
#16

 

[renk777]

I think your coop is part of the problem.
#16

Why? They're only using that one to lay right now...they prefer the other to sleep in....

 

[Kiki]

Why?

Because it is too small.

 

[Kiki]

Why? They're only using that one to lay right now...they prefer the other to sleep in....

Go out there and measure this other coop. Report back its size.

 

[Kessel23]

My grandparents once had a single Cochin rooster in their flock, all the other birds had clean legs. Because he is different and has feathered legs he is pecked at by the other chickens, they think that something is stuck to his legs because everyone else has clean legs, so they rip it off of him. The same thing happens with polish and other feathered head breeds. The other chickens don't like it and think it is weird so they try to make him normal. There's really no way to fix this unless you want to re home him or get more feather footed birds. If you get more birds like him then the other chickens will accept it as a normal thing.

 

[renk777]

Because it is too small.

For no birds? LOL I think it's better suited to 6 birds...as you said, they over estimate birdage in pre-fabs but the birds aren't using it right now. Except to lay. Every girl seems to want to lay in the box on the left. They also like to scratch around in it during the day but by evening, they're in the larger coop. Granted, I wish they were utilizing both as I prefer each only have 6 or 8 in it at night but they're choosing the one right now. Even when we had both roos. I suppose their own choices could still be leading to feather pecking but at this point, expansion isn't an option. Our property is too small. Fortunately, summer is almost upon us when they naturally separate and it would be great if we can find a new place by the fall. Even before we create separate paddocks and such, one of my requirements is an outbuilding that is large and walkin in which we can set up roosts and give the current flock triple the space. So if you're right, that should eliminate bare necks. Praying and crossing my fingers!