Unsure about the cause of "notches" missing from tail feathers...

[rozzzatar]

I found this old thread. Looks like Quill Mites, and they used Ivermectin on the skin to get rid of them.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/feathers-being-eaten-mite.1051617/

Thank you!!! I have tried all sorts of different wording and couldn't find a darn thing! This just made my day! Poor birds will be happy too now that I can treat this. CRAZY!!

 

[Ghosty]

YW! I guess they live inside the quill and cannot be seen. Pretty wild. I had no idea they existed. I think a lot of people don't. I googled "pests cutting chicken feathers" and it was first thread. Good luck with the treatment!

 

[Henriettamom919]

This is great news! I'm genuinely happy to be wrong because treating a parasite is so much easier than a hen going quietly psycho on her sister chicks!

 

[GoatDragonFarms]

I looked for more info on this for probably 30? minutes, and BYC seems to be the best there is. Lots of stuff from across the pond, lots of scientific data. And lots of creepy pics.
Good luck, and please keep us posted?

 

[rozzzatar]

Bright side #1 being I have Tractor Supply Co right in town and they have the Ivermectin Pour-On in stock. Bright side #2 for the most part all my birds try and jump into my lap upon entering their area so applying it shouldn't be too bad.

Sad that their first REAL feathers are going to carry this damage till they have their first molt. Especially the golden sebright hen and silver duckwing rooster But as long as they're on the road back to healthy that's all that matters!

THANK YOU ALL!

 

[Goatcrazychickengirl]

Hmmmm I've had this happen multiple times and it was the roosters arguing over their favorite hens if it is not them I'm not sure what it could be. Frankly I'm pretty stumped, I dont discredit you knowledge of your flock or you chicken sense but I cant think of anything else

 

[rozzzatar]

Hmmmm I've had this happen multiple times and it was the roosters arguing over their favorite hens if it is not them I'm not sure what it could be. Frankly I'm pretty stumped, I dont discredit you knowledge of your flock or you chicken sense but I cant think of anything else

I do have two roosters, however, they're only 6 weeks old and haven't started acting "roostery" quite yet. I do have a home for one if they start getting into scuffles. But hoping they will figure out their pecking order and I can keep both.

The potential that they have Quill Mites is what I'm going to treat them for and go from their.

 

[Shadrach]

These are from today. Two more birds showing the same patterns. So 5 out of 11 birds. Seeming to be worse today than before. Not just notches missing now. But definitely clean cuts off of tail feathers.

I have not observed any one picking on anyone...no scuffles or anything.

If this is one bird trying to establish themselves will it persist or die down as they figure things out?

What do you feed your chickens?

 

[Shadrach]

Stress Bars
Feather growth requires a myriad of nutrients for normal feather development. Therefore, if there is disruption in the assimilation of nutrients during the time of feather development, this will result in the production of stress bars on the feathers. Stress bars appear as black or depigmented lines that transect a feather, and multiple lines may occur at different levels on the feathers, if multiple bouts of disruption have occurred. If a young bird develops gastro-intestinal problems, digestive disturbances, prolonged chilling or periods when it is not fed (nor fed enough), this will result in the production of stress bars at the same level on all the feathers that were developing during that time.

It may well be feather mites. They live on the chicken and you should be able to see them if you look carefully.
If not, the above can cause similar.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have seen feathers cut right on the shaft creating a V shape. Never seen the side part looking like a scissor cut.

The issue with mine turned out to be mice during the night. I caught them in the act. They had quite a nest in a wall cavity.