Shotty rooster tail

[blueclip]

I wasn't sure where to put this, but my one year-old Dominique rooster has a really bad tail. He had a good tail up until 10 months old and then it started to fall apart. It's more like a half tail he does not have the large circle feather that is characteristic of a rooster. He has been this way for a few months now, can someone tell me what is going on?

 

[chickcrack]

Do you have more than one rooster? May be a rooster fight. I have noticed they love to hack another's tail off with their spurs.

 

[blueclip]

Nope. Just one.

 

[chickcrack]

Hmmmm sorry not sure then! Other than a feather plucking hen. my hens are always attracted to my banty roosters sickle feathers but he's faster than them. Hopefully he will molt soon and grow back a nice lush one. My rooster is currently molting so has a stubby little tail too. In the meantime additional protein can help with feather growth. Eggs, canned fish or an adjustment in pellets to one with higher protein content. Sorry best I can offer. Good luck.

 

[chickens really]

I bet your hens are the reason behind his bad tail feathers.....Almost can see them pecking him...Haha!
He loves his girls...The next moult he will grow in a fine tail...Have no worries...


Cheers!

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Interesting. I just hae been treating my 1 yr old Barred Rock rooster for the same symptoms. He has NO tail! so, I caught him, and examined his rear end. Skin is red, feathers appear to be broken off at the base. I looked it up here, and found some mentioning Depluming Mites. I didn't see any, but I slathered up his rear end with lots of Nu-Stock. Now, that stuff is very stiff to use, so I mixed it with coconut oil. It still separates, but I paste him up really good and let him wear it till he wipes it off. He is on his 3rd treatment. Last time I looked, he is re-growing some of the feathers