Two of my hens (both Barred Rock) are plucking out their own feathers near the tail and back

[Onnie1776]

I am at a loss what to do. I have a small flock of 5 hens (aged +1 year) who appear to be pretty healthy, except ...

Two of my hens are plucking out their own feathers. Both of these hens are Barred Rocks. None of my other hens are doing this. This behavior has been going on for about 3 - 4 months. I sneak into the coop at night and put blue kote on their backs, but it seems like they just keep picking at their backs. We are in the middle of a heat wave and it seems to have gotten worse in the humid, hot weather.

They eat Nutrena NatureWise Feather Fixer pellets which is very high in protein. I regularly give them fruits and veggies. I also give them left over bread and cookies and such occasionally, so they eat pretty good. They don't have mites or lice or any bugs that I can tell. I clean the coop regularly and use diatomaceous earth in the nesting boxes.

I have attached pictures of the hens. I tried to get up close but one of the girls is broody which made it much easier, but the other one is another story.

Any ideas? Do they make cones of shame for chickens? I just want them to stop before blood is drawn.

 

[50-45-1]

Do you SEE the birds plucking there own feathers?
Do you have a rooster?
The feather loss you show is typical of over breeding by a rooster or feather picking.
With feather picking it is alwalys the hen with no feather loss that is the picker.
You see it hurts to have a feather plucked out, unless the birds have lice or mites, then they migth pluck them due to the itching and irritation.

 

[Onnie1776]

Do you SEE the birds plucking there own feathers?
Do you have a rooster?
The feather loss you show is typical of over breeding by a rooster or feather picking.
With feather picking it is alwalys the hen with no feather loss that is the picker.
You see it hurts to have a feather plucked out, unless the birds have lice or mites, then they migth pluck them due to the itching and irritation.

They are definitely plucking out their own feathers. I see them do it. My rooster was killed by my dog in April, so it is definitely not overbreeding. I have covered them in diatomaceous earth a couple of times just in case it could be mites, but I honestly don't think it is mites since the other chickens are fine. I am at a loss as to what to do. One of the chickens is actually getting to the point of bloodying her own back and I am loathe to think of what might happen if it gets to that point. If anyone has any experience with this, I would appreciate any insight you can share!

 

[50-45-1]

If they are pulling out there own feathers, something is irritating the skin there.
if you have already examined them close and can not see any indication of lice or mites, i would stop using the blue cote and go get some bag balm or corona and try to heal and sooth the area. It is a more sticky consistancy and they wont want to get there beeks in it.
Hope this helps.

 

[gator75]

My moms pair of leghorns have done the same thing since she's had them. Never could figure out how to remedy.

 

[aart]

They eat Nutrena NatureWise Feather Fixer pellets which is very high in protein. I regularly give them fruits and veggies. I also give them left over bread and cookies and such occasionally, so they eat pretty good. They don't have mites or lice or any bugs that I can tell. I clean the coop regularly and use diatomaceous earth in the nesting boxes.

FF is not that high in protein, IIRC it's 18%...the other foods are diluting that.
Give them some animal protein...tho even that might not stop this habit.

DE will not kill mites and lice,
something with permethrin is needed if they do have external parasites.
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

 

[Onnie1776]

If they are pulling out there own feathers, something is irritating the skin there.
if you have already examined them close and can not see any indication of lice or mites, i would stop using the blue cote and go get some bag balm or corona and try to heal and sooth the area. It is a more sticky consistancy and they wont want to get there beeks in it.
Hope this helps.

I will try using bag balm. I have some for my horses and will give that a whirl later tonight when I catch them again.

 

[Onnie1776]

FF is not that high in protein, IIRC it's 18%...the other foods are diluting that.
Give them some animal protein...tho even that might not stop this habit.

DE will not kill mites and lice,
something with permethrin is needed if they do have external parasites.
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

I will also do another mite inspection today. I have watched a couple of youtube videos, so I have a basic idea of what I am looking for. Will keep you posted. Thanks!

 

[Onnie1776]

My moms pair of leghorns have done the same thing since she's had them. Never could figure out how to remedy.

This is what I am afraid of