Two hens, Naked...and its not from Moult

[chicketychicken]

I recently acquired two hens that i am quite sure were not well taken care of. They have alot of bare spots and look more like a chicken dinner than a pet chicken...and the feather loss does not look like a result of moulting ~as the pin feathers are not showing.
They were kept in a barn with about 40-60 other hens and roosters, probably not fed all that well, and I believe there shelter was somewhat open to the elements.
Its cold here in CT already. I believe the feather loss is a result of stress or poor conditions.
These hens look pathetic from the neck down. Other than providing them a good high protein diet and substantial shelter is there anythign else I can do to help these girls grow their feathers back?
I have a feeling if i could get them to grow their feathers they would be beautiful.

 

[BirdBrain]

Have you checked them over for mites and the like? Wonder if worms might be an issue.

 

[chicks4kids]

I have a hen that was bare backed and on her sides as well as her neck, however that was from her being the Roos favorite...however, I have to say, I put a chicken saddle on her and her feathers are growing in nice now...maybe that could be an option

 

[chicketychicken]

you know i have not checked for mites. they are a little hand shy and I am trying slowly to break them into the idea of being pets rather than just chickens in a barn. I have watched them and not seen alot of picking at themselves or each. I assume that mites would make them itchy and irritated. The skin does look somewhat irritated in spots, but overall the skin looks ok.
Would the mites be something I could see? If not, exactly what should I look for?
I actually did look up the chicken saddles online, because if that's what it takes that's what I will do.
I guess my main question is...will these girls grow their feathers back if the loss is a result of stress and poor diet...or a roo?

 

[Renee]

Their feathers should grow back. Sometimes the damage from pecking is so bad the feathers do not grow back, but usually they do.

For the mites:
At night, when they are asleep on their roost, go out with a flashlight and look at their vent areas. You should see tiny black or red mites or tan lice which are a bit bigger if your chickens are infested. YOu can also see eggs on the base of the feather shafts.

 

[BirdBrain]

I would think so.

Do a google search for fowl mites. There are some good pictures online.

Try to get a hand on them this evening when they go to roost.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

The best way to take care of mites is to dip them. Add a couple squirts of dish soap to the dip so it thoroughly soaks through all the feathers.

 

[chicketychicken]

ok~ so i guess i'm going mite hunting. This should be fun!

 

[ChicksR4Me]

Quote:
Dip? Do you mean the kind you use on cats and dogs for fleas?

 

[chicketychicken]

lol, no i think she meant using dish soap. I think a cat or dog dip would be bad for a chicken