What's happening?

[Cheryl1948]

My 7month old Ameracauna all of a sudden this weekend has feathers missing at her low back where her tail feathers start. It is looking pretty raw. Not red and infected looking, but is definitely something wrong. What do I do? Is there something I can put on it? She wouldn't be molting right now would she?

 

[MrsBachbach]

At seven months, they shouldn't be molting. Not until after their first year, then they will molt late summer early fall. Is there a rooster in the pen? Excessive breeding by a rooster will cause feathers to be pulled out on a hens back or even head and neck area. Could a predator of some kind have got a hold of her and she escaped? Other than that, you may have a hen in the pen with a taste for feathers. Or, sometimes lice or mites can cause feather loss, but I wouldn't think to the extent you are describing.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Almost certainly not molting. When they molt they start at the head and work their way back.

Do you have a cockerel? Especially at that age, his technique may not be great and he may be causing that damage when mating. That happens a fair amount with pullets and cockerels when they are adolescents, but they usually grow out of that phase. It’s not unusual for a hen to lose an occasional feather during normal mating but if it gets bare enough to expose skin, that becomes serious. The cockerel can cut her skin when mating. The others may become cannibalistic so if you see any cut skin or it becomes bare enough to expose skin you need to take action. Either separate the pullet until she heals or separate the cockerel until he and the pullets mature enough to act like mature adults. Another option is to make a saddle for the pullet.

Another part of that is that some hens have brittle feathers. It’s a genetic defect. Even if the cockerel uses perfect technique and the pullet cooperates like she should, those feathers are so brittle they just break off. Other than a saddle I don’t have a good answer for that one.

I suggest you look for mites and lice. That can also cause that kind of problem. Roost mites only come out at night and hide in the coop during the day. The best time not check is after dark. Us a flashlight and check their vent area. The mites like that moisture. You will see them scurrying away from the light.

 

[Cheryl1948]

No rooster and no predator. I am thinking as you, that there is a feather picker or two. What should I do? Do I need to separate her from the flock? Is there something I can put on it to deter the picker?

 

[MrsBachbach]

Well, if it's not lice or mites and is indeed a feather picker (they tend to go for the vent feathers or muffs and beards though, so this is strange), I would do as Ridgerunner suggested, put a hen apron or saddle on her that should cover the area. Or, get some pinless peepers for the picker if you can identify the picker. Or put peepers on all of them. They will get used to them and still be able to eat and drink, but their close vision will be affected and they will not be able to zero in on the feathers to pluck.

 

[Cheryl1948]

Thank you both. I read about blu-kote and tractor supply has the spray. Also, I have ordered a saddle from MyPetChicken. I saw online people make them, but I am just not that handy in the sewing dept. I hope covering it up helps. I will check her closer for mites, etc., but I keep DE in their dust bath so I wouldn't think it was any kind of bugs. Should I dust her with some DE anyway?

 

[MrsBachbach]

Yes, dusting her can't hurt, so I would do that concentrating on vent area.

 

[Cheryl1948]

Thank you for your kindness MrsB