Butt Feather Loss

[BamaChickenGirl]

Hey everyone! My hens are a little over a year old and are losing butt feathers. It started quite awhile ago and I didn’t do anything to treat it because I figured they were molting except it hasn’t gotten better. I thought it was boredom so I added an entire new run and nothing happened. We even gave them a more protein based diet but still nothing has changed. I have also noticed it hasn’t gotten any worse either. Has anyone seen this before and is there any way I can fix it?

 

[GodLovesU]

Have you seen any aggression?Have they been checked/treated for mites and lice?

 

[BamaChickenGirl]

Every now and then one will behave aggressively but most time that is over treats. And they haven’t been checked for mites, however we did treat for mites when my rooster had leg mites. I don’t assume they are mites. Any other possibilities?

 

[GodLovesU]

Every now and then one will behave aggressively but most time that is over treats. And they haven’t been checked for mites. If we assume they are mites what should I do?

If they do have mites or lice Permethrin or poultry dust are both good non-oral treatments.They are however toxic to cats.I would also change the bedding.If you have a sprayer I would spray the coop with the permethrin.It should have instructions on the back.The poultry dust is simple,catch a chicken,dust them,chuck them in the coop.

 

[BamaChickenGirl]

Okay! This is helpful. I will definitely look into this!

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

Every now and then one will behave aggressively but most time that is over treats. And they haven’t been checked for mites, however we did treat for mites when my rooster had leg mites. I don’t assume they are mites. Any other possibilities?

is this rooster housed with the hens?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Second wondering if the rooster is with the hens? If so how many hens do you have with him? That looks like rooster damage to me.

 

[BamaChickenGirl]

The rooster is housed with the hens but the issue started before the rooster came. So I think I am heading toward mites or lice unless yall think it could be something else?