Why does she look like this?

[Kidhenduckohmy]

I have two one year old Americaunas. One is missing feathers around her neck and on top her head and she has a general rumpled look. I thought it might be from them not wanting to leave the coop in the winter and getting picked on. But it is not getting better and they have a large run, plus they get let out after 5 everyday to roam the backyard. Will the feathers grow back? And how long does it take?

 

[Johnn]

Do you have cockerels? and have you checked for lice?

 

[Kidhenduckohmy]

No cockerels. How do you check for lice? And if its lice wouldn't they all look ruffled?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

And if its lice wouldn't they all look ruffled?

No.

I haven't dealt with lice, but I have dealt with plenty of mites.

Look under wings and around the vent area for bugs. Mites will be dark and look like specks. Lice are supposed to be straw-colored.

That rumpled disheveled look is what I have seen with mites before, but only a couple of hens had that look - they all had bugs. I say that because the bugs were everywhere. I couldn't even go out into the coop to collect eggs without being bitten.

 

[Kidhenduckohmy]

Oh boy, I really hope that is not what it is. I will check tomorrow. Are the mites easy to see? My hens are always taking baths in the dirt, I am just wondering if they will be easy to see with all that dirt.

 

[Johnn]

Oh boy, I really hope that is not what it is. I will check tomorrow. Are the mites easy to see? My hens are always taking baths in the dirt, I am just wondering if they will be easy to see with all that dirt.

You will see them move if you look carefully