Tattered looking feathers

[Salt Creek Coops]

Any ideas what would cause feathers to look like this? She is about a year and a half old. No other issues/symptoms that I can find.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She's 1 1/2yrs old. Has she molted yet? Possibly just worn feathers.
Does she dust bath?
Any lice/mites?
How is her behavior - is she active/eating/drinking/laying eggs?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I agree with the first poster that age and approaching her first molt would be a main consideration.

Is the skin below the vent and on the abdomen light pink or angry red? Angry red would indicate parasites.

Are there others in the flock.. a rooster? Or someone picking on her possibly? I can't tell if there's feathers missing off the head or it's just the angle of the camera.

 

[Salt Creek Coops]

She's 1 1/2yrs old. Has she molted yet? Possibly just worn feathers.
Does she dust bath?
Any lice/mites?
How is her behavior - is she active/eating/drinking/laying eggs?

I am almost certain she molted in the fall with the others.
She does dust bathe.(I sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth where they do that) She is still very active, laying, eating, drinking, foraging, etc. I don’t see any mites or lice. She is one of the top in pecking order.

 

[Salt Creek Coops]

I agree with the first poster that age and approaching her first molt would be a main consideration.

Is the skin below the vent and on the abdomen light pink or angry red? Angry red would indicate parasites.

Are there others in the flock.. a rooster? Or someone picking on her possibly? I can't tell if there's feathers missing off the head or it's just the angle of the camera.

I will check her abdomen and report back. Head feathers look fine.

I did have a rooster that had to rehome. He was supposed to be a she and was a little rough on the girls. I have another rooster that has been with us a while now.

Could it be stress?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

(I sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth where they do that

DE is very ineffective at parasite control in humid locations like mine.

It's *possible* the micro cuts caused by DE are adding to the poor feather condition.

Feather quality is effected by stress including parasites and nutrition especially during the grow out portion of it. Too low of protein or too many low nutrient high energy snacks during the grow out phase could cause poor feather quality.

Regardless of actual cause, they will not improve until she molts again. Genetics (and nutrition) can effect things like feather brittleness, molt duration and strength of molt. Some birds don't molt when our books say they should.

It is easiest to see active lice or mites after dark using a flashlight or headlamp and part feathers all the way down to the skin. Are there any dried "mud" clumps near the base of feather shafts below the vent. I was shocked to see the difference the first time I took a night time look.

So it could be stress, but past stress more likely if current parasites are ruled out by skin condition. Her comb and wattles are nice and red.

Any way to remember or verify if she did molt or not? They don't usually lay eggs during that time. I'm suspecting *maybe* she didn't molt when everyone else did??

Hope you find some answers.

 

[Salt Creek Coops]

I will check her abdomen and report back. Head feathers look fine.

I did have a rooster that had to rehome. He was supposed to be a she and was a little rough on the girls. I have another rooster that has been with us a while now.

Could it be stress?

Checked her out and a few other girls too. No visible parasites. I’m just going to guess she didn’t molt in the fall. Or the rehomed rooster stressed her out. Thank you for your input!

 

[Salt Creek Coops]

DE is very ineffective at parasite control in humid locations like mine.

It's *possible* the micro cuts caused by DE are adding to the poor feather condition.

Feather quality is effected by stress including parasites and nutrition especially during the grow out portion of it. Too low of protein or too many low nutrient high energy snacks during the grow out phase could cause poor feather quality.

Regardless of actual cause, they will not improve until she molts again. Genetics (and nutrition) can effect things like feather brittleness, molt duration and strength of molt. Some birds don't molt when our books say they should.

It is easiest to see active lice or mites after dark using a flashlight or headlamp and part feathers all the way down to the skin. Are there any dried "mud" clumps near the base of feather shafts below the vent. I was shocked to see the difference the first time I took a night time look.

So it could be stress, but past stress more likely if current parasites are ruled out by skin condition. Her comb and wattles are nice and red.

Any way to remember or verify if she did molt or not? They don't usually lay eggs during that time. I'm suspecting *maybe* she didn't molt when everyone else did??

Hope you find some answers.

Thanks for your info! I waited to check for parasites tonight. What a difference! THANKFULLY, no bugs!
They are fed organic feed, when I can get it. Non GMO otherwise. I also feed fruit and some scratch grains for treats. I’d say less than 5% of their diet is treats. I do free range so they are able to get bugs and whatnot.
I think she either didn’t molt or the rehomed rooster was the culprit. I’ll keep an eye on her.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am almost certain she molted in the fall with the others.
She does dust bathe.(I sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth where they do that) She is still very active, laying, eating, drinking, foraging, etc. I don’t see any mites or lice. She is one of the top in pecking order.

I did have a rooster that had to rehome. He was supposed to be a she and was a little rough on the girls. I have another rooster that has been with us a while now.

Worn feathers.
She's eating/drinking/laying...active. You have a rooster...worn feathers.

 

[Salt Creek Coops]

DE is very ineffective at parasite control in humid locations like mine.

It's *possible* the micro cuts caused by DE are adding to the poor feather condition.

Feather quality is effected by stress including parasites and nutrition especially during the grow out portion of it. Too low of protein or too many low nutrient high energy snacks during the grow out phase could cause poor feather quality.

Regardless of actual cause, they will not improve until she molts again. Genetics (and nutrition) can effect things like feather brittleness, molt duration and strength of molt. Some birds don't molt when our books say they should.

It is easiest to see active lice or mites after dark using a flashlight or headlamp and part feathers all the way down to the skin. Are there any dried "mud" clumps near the base of feather shafts below the vent. I was shocked to see the difference the first time I took a night time look.

So it could be stress, but past stress more likely if current parasites are ruled out by skin condition. Her comb and wattles are nice and red.

Any way to remember or verify if she did molt or not? They don't usually lay eggs during that time. I'm suspecting *maybe* she didn't molt when everyone else did??

Hope you find some answers.

Thanks for your info! I waited to check for parasites tonight. What a difference! THANKFULLY, no bugs!
They are fed organic feed, wen I can get it. Other than that they get leftover fruit and some scratch grains. I do free range so they areI think she either didn’t molt or the rehomed rooster was the culprit. I’ll keep an eye on her.