Skin problem - HELP!

[songbird]

Hi all,

This is my first batch of chickies, and they are about 2 weeks old now. About a week ago, one of the black australorps started to look kind of unkempt. She looked like she had bald spots on her, but upon closer inspection, it looks more generalized. Her feathers are just extremely sparse along her back and neck. I never have seen any of the other birds bothering her. However, she does seem to spend a great deal of time preening herself.
Could she be pulling out her own feathers? Could she have mites? I got her from Ideal, in a shipment of about 23 day-old chicks, and none of the others has this problem.
Thanks!

 

[aidenbaby]

It sounds like her new feather just aren't coming in as quickly as her old. As for the preening, my only guess is that getting new feathers itches. I wouldn't worry about it unless you actually see critters on her or rashes or something developing on her skin.

 

[songbird]

I don't see mites or anything on her, but she is very flaky compared to the other kids. Her skin is also very red in some areas.

Any other thoughts??

 

[columbiacritter]

Isolate, sounds like someone is pickign on her.

 

[m2wandc]

I know this is going to sound odd...but is she a 'naked neck' breed?

if not, and she is preening, I would venture to guess you'd see the plucked out feathers in the brooder...so if you don't see loose feathers, I'm would deduct that she's not pulling them out...

...hope someone else can pipe in and help more so then me

 

[m2wandc]

And if someone is picking on her, same thing...don't you think you'd see loose feathers in the brooder???

I'm curious...because I don't find ANYTHING in my brooder and yet my chicks are for sure loosing FUZZ and getting feathers in...

 

[songbird]

She is a black Australorp, so not a naked neck breed. I have 3 BA babies and the other two look sleek and healthy. I suppose someone could be bothering her, but I have never seen any of this going on while I am with them. I don't know if I can post a picture with my camera, but I will try tonight.

 

[Peeper7]

I have a parrot who chews his feathers and I have been told by bird people that new feathers coming in can be irritating and itchy. Might lead to picking. I have an avian spray with aloe which soothes the skin. Maybe something similar would help. Maybe a local avian vet would have something. Pure aloe should not be harmful though.

 

[songbird]

She is looking a little better, now that her big-girl feathers are coming in. Her neck is still red, though. I might try a little spray that is soothing, just to see if it helps. Thanks!