sick or not sick

[allison51207]

Hi I need help I have a few chickens that have bald spots on there head right behind there crowns I noticed it yesterday when I went to clean out some of the coop but there eating and drinking there feet look good no poop butts I haven't seen any fighting but they were in there coop for 3-4 days after snow storm they would not come out they would stick there heads out and eat snow but that was all ,since the weather has been 35-40 degrees this week they have been comming out, I'm just worried it's miss or lice I haven't seen anything ,so I have 10 hens and 2 roos that's 12 , there in a big coop and it's warm and dry and ventilated ,IF SOMEONE COULD PLEASE HELP ME it's my first winter with chickens got them last year they been outside since beginning of summer, and have been doing good but the winter is taking a toll my roos tail feathers look like he's been sitting on them for ever any help is greatly appreciated thank u

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sound like standard rooster mating damage. Pics are helpful.

How old are they? 2-10 ratio, you can expect some over breeding to you hens.

 

[Hamiam]

Can you post some pictures?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Mites and lice are possibilities but that wouldn't be the *usual* place for damage indications.

 

[allison51207]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sound like standard rooster mating damage. Pics are helpful.

How old are they? 2-10 ratio, you can expect some over breeding to you hens.

 

[allison51207]

So here are a couple of hens and one is of the roos tail

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Definitely some pics would help here. Rooster activity would pull out feathers. Lice and mites would definitely cause baldness. There aren't a whole lot of feathers right behind the comb on some birds however. Pics will help tremendously.

So glad you decided to join us!!

 

[allison51207]

Got them back in April about 8 months old not even a year ,

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC

These links may help you, generally speaking

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-chicken-keeping
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-coop-temperatures

 

[TwoCrows]

If the roo is suffering from bald spots as well, this could very well be a mite or lice issue. Some poultry spray or powder will definitely help, Ivermectin pour is an option as well. Check the rest of their bodies, especially around the vent. Lice especially love to hide back here, even lay eggs. You will also need to clean out your nest boxes, the entire coop and spray everything down as well. Concentrate under the roost bar where mites like to hide during the day and lay eggs.