where have all our feathers gone?

[lovie chick]

some of my girls are running around with naked buns and feather loss on their backs. I have tried dusting and they have their additive for their dirt but its not working. anyone have any ideas? also....have not seen any signs of lice or mites.

 

[Chick Charm]

Long time passing. Sorry I couldn't resist.

Do you have a rooster? You can try dusting them with DE in a gunny sack and see if you get results in about 2 weeks. Also try to up their protein for a bit with whatever you have available to you and see if that helps them. Or maybe try and put VetRX in their water or on the bodies to see if that helps. I don't know for sure what is causing their feather loss. Just trying to help with some steps I would consider. But I would find out for sure.

Wish ya the best.

 

[chfite]

Is it winter where you are? Chickens commonly molt in winter.

If you have too few hens for the roosters, the roosters will wear them out mating too much.

Chris

 

[lovie chick]

I have no roosters as they are not allowed. I have 12 hens and about 6 of them that are missing their feathers. One of my black australorps had this problem a few months back so moved her and her sister in with the goats and they grew theirs back. Can't move them all in there1 and still wouldn't tell me what the problem was. thanks anyway.

 

[lovie chick]

I am going to try with giving them more protein, actually a dietician where I work suggested yogurt so thanks it's worth a shot.

 

[dawg53]

Sounds like you have some feather pickers to me. Do you see the feathers laying on the ground anywhere? If not, they're eating them as a source of extra protein. If that's the case, give them gamebird feed for a month then wean them off of it back to regular layer feed and observe them. If they continue to pick feathers, time for freezer camp.
I dont recommend yogurt, it'll pass through them. Go with gamebird feed if it's a protein problem.

 

[lovie chick]

Hey thanks for the reply I'm going to give this a shot first as we have seen some feathers laying around and if yogurt is just going to go through it just sounds like another problem.

 

[Chick Charm]

I second the action of giving Game Bird Feed. I give GB starter on occasion just to make sure the protein is adequate. It works.

If you are not currently doing so you may consider (in the future) using a flock raiser with additional oyster shell that can maintain protein and thus with the eating of feathers if that is what is going on.

Wish ya the best.

 

[Bullitt]

Is it winter where you are? Chickens commonly molt in winter.

If you have too few hens for the roosters, the roosters will wear them out mating too much.

Chris

Actually, late summer and early fall are the most common time for molting. But molting can take place at any time of the year.

How old are these chickens, and how long have you had them?

 

[JanetS]

Do your chickens look anything like this? My white leghorn has been molting for about a month now.