So What do you think? Picking? Molting? both? Somewhat pic heavy

[Tigertrea]

I took a whole bunch of pics of my birds today, here are some of the ones that show the damaged feathers best.

This is the one who had the wound being pecked at.



The other feather kids.


Close up of above Chicken


This is a close up of my Roo.


Close up of one of the below chickens


Roo He has some feathers missing on the inside of his thighs too


Another close up of roo


A couple more of the BR





Overall of roo.


Overall of the other BR I have


Very fluffy but on BSL who has a small bare spot on her rump.


The rears of my 2 BR.


I also have 2 RIR who have some feathers missing but, they were not at all co-operative. Thier feather loss looks like the BSL but, no long feathers, just fluffy feathers on their but and very small missing feathers on their rumps.

And...Is this OK for a "sick chick" set up?

 

[azygous]

Looks like molt to me. Pickers usually clean out any pin feathers as soon as they pop up. Picking victims usually show smooth bald patches. Molt occurs in different areas on a chicken, but pin feathers are present in the bare patches.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Have you checked them for lice? They could be picking at themselves if they have lice.

 

[Tigertrea]

Thank you both for your input!

Looks like molt to me. Pickers usually clean out any pin feathers as soon as they pop up. Picking victims usually show smooth bald patches. Molt occurs in different areas on a chicken, but pin feathers are present in the bare patches.

I am hoping it is molt. I thought that until I saw one pick at a wound in the one I separated. I've seen no picking, except for my one with pendulous crop, when she had sour crop she pecked at herself quite a bit. I can't see the others putting up with her picking at them since she has always been lowest in the pecking order. But, who knows. I also can't see the roo putting up with someone pecking at his feathers, but, again who knows.

Have you checked them for lice? They could be picking at themselves if they have lice.

I have checked over 2 of the birds fairly carefully and found nothing. They really stress when i handle them, even when I try at night when they are asleep they all freak out. I'll have to check again though.

I am concerned about this feather loss. I hope it is at least mostly molt. I also hope spring comes around soon so they can get out more. There may be some boredom problems since they are spending more time inside their coop and less in their run (their choice, I haven't restricted their access)

 

[Happy Chooks]

If it is picking, you can get some spray called blue kote and that will help in getting them to stop.

 

[Tigertrea]

If it is picking, you can get some spray called blue kote and that will help in getting them to stop.

Got some yesterday. Now for some chicken wrestling.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Do it at night when they are on the roost. Arm yourself with a headlamp.