Taking Floki to the vet-things I should ask for?

[BantyChooks]

No, I have a large flock (70 birds) on a deep litter flooring; I cannot pin down random feathers to the bird. I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped something like that, though.

Will do.

Oh that's interesting! This would explain why it doesn't seem to get better with the various treatments. Did you notice if your birds who had this issue had pieces of "chewed" up quill under them in the morning? When I clean off their droppings board in the morning I see that there is what looks like ground up or chewed up quill and feather follicle on it where Floki was sleeping...

 

[BantyChooks]

I will see if I can find pictures, if you'd like?

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

See what the vet has to say and let us know.
I do see broken feathers, but you have no mention that she picks at herself - my understanding is birds with Depluming mites will be constantly picking at themselves and the feathers will be stripped - yours look broken with dirt.

I haven't seen her picking at her feathers and her skin is not irritated or red. I'm really hoping you all are on the right track and that it's not mites. I spoke with an avain vet today today on the phone and she told me to get Sevin dust and treat the coop and flock with it. I'm not feeling comfortable doing this just yet...

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

I will see if I can find pictures, if you'd like?

Oh that would be great! Yes please.

 

[BantyChooks]

The first image isn't a very good one, but you can see how worn out the golden hen's back was; she hadn't even been getting extra attention from the roosters. Her feathers were just brittle. Is Floki ready for a moult? These birds often look truly terrible when their feather sets are old.

As a side note: very good layers will often exhibit poor feathering due to nutrient depletion. This is a separate phenomenon, I think, as birds displaying it in my flock often were subpar in laying. The reason I think this is not connected to a parasite is that affected birds start showing feather wear in their pullet year and continue through the rest of their life, while their flockmates remain normal. I have never had a bird 'contract it' later in life, and purchased adults likewise retain the feather condition they arrived in.

 

[BantyChooks]

See the tips of her wing? This bird is near the beginning of her moult cycle in this particular image, but at the end of the year, her body feathers would be similarly notched and worn. I can't find a picture of her from the time of year I want.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

See the tips of her wing? This bird is near the beginning of her moult cycle in this particular image, but at the end of the year, her body feathers would be similarly notched and worn. I can't find a picture of her from the time of year I want.
View attachment 1859434

This is so incredibly helpful. I'm actually thinking I'm going to cancel the vet visit. These photos really look just like what Floki has going on.

• She's just about to enter into her first year molt.
• She's a prolific egg layer.
• Her feathers have always looked rather thin and brittle.
• None of the others show any signs.
• Have seen no bugs and none were seen under a microscope

Sounds like the same thing your birds had.

 

[BantyChooks]

This is so incredibly helpful. I'm actually thinking I'm going to cancel the vet visit. These photos really look just like what Floki has going on.

• She's just about to enter into her first year molt.
• She's a prolific egg layer.
• Her feathers have always looked rather thin and brittle.
• None of the others show any signs.
• Have seen no bugs and none were seen under a microscope

Sounds like the same thing your birds had.

She ticks all the boxes, then! I'm glad my photos helped you.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

She ticks all the boxes, then! I'm glad my photos helped you.

Many thanks!