Chicken Pulling out all its feathers!

[SmurfKiller]

Hi Everyone, I'm new to keeping chickens and i believe i am running into my first issue. I have had my chickens for a little over a year now, and one of them seems to be pulling out all her feathers!

I have read countless articles, and posts on these forums, and none of them seem to explain why only 1 of my chickens is loosing her feathers!

I have attached some photos, be warned it not a pretty sight

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[birdwrangler057]

Hello, and

glad you joined us!

Have you ever considered molting? How long has this been going on, and Have you checked for mites? Mites, if serious enough can cause feather loss. Hope you girl gets better

 

[birdwrangler057]

It looks like a late molt because there are new feather sprouts in the bald spots.

 

[SmurfKiller]

I checked for mites about a week ago and couldn't see anything, but i put some diatomaceous earth in the coup and some on her just to be safe.

This has been going on for about 2 weeks now. everyday she seems to be getting worse and worse, I will check for mites again tonight when she is asleep.

If it is molting, I didn't realize that it could be so dramatic!

 

[birdwrangler057]

I checked for mites about a week ago and couldn't see anything, but i put some diatomaceous earth in the coup and some on her just to be safe.

This has been going on for about 2 weeks now. everyday she seems to be getting worse and worse, I will check for mites again tonight when she is asleep.

If it is molting, I didn't realize that it could be so dramatic!

You did the right thing for mites! DE is the best, been using it since day one, even after this stops keep sprinkling it in the coop. Yes, some chickens just naturally molt faster than others, but they grow feathers back fast as well. Are there new feathers sprouting in the bald spots?

 

[Isaac 0]

You did the right thing for mites! DE is the best, been using it since day one, even after this stops keep sprinkling it in the coop. Yes, some chickens just naturally molt faster than others, but they grow feathers back fast as well. Are there new feathers sprouting in the bald spots?

De is probably the worst thing you can use.Bad for there lungs and wont do anything in a bad infestation.Garden spray poultry dust is very good.Not trying to being mean.

They say that humans shouldn't inhale it.Why let a animal with weaker lungs and a more sensitive respiratory system inhale it?

 

[birdwrangler057]

De is probably the worst thing you can use.Bad for there lungs and wont do anything in a bad infestation.Garden spray poultry dust is very good.Not trying to being mean.

Okay, everyone has an opinion, but for the record, other chicken people I know, plus myself have used it in infestations and it works great. I'm sure the edible stuff is not bad for your lungs. My coop is very open so I sprinkle it in the corners every time I change the hay, never have problems.

 

[Isaac 0]

Okay, everyone has an opinion, but for the record, other chicken people I know, plus myself have used it in infestations and it works great. I'm sure the edible stuff is not bad for your lungs. My coop is very open so I sprinkle it in the corners every time I change the hay, never have problems.

Yep everyone has a opinion

.It may be decent at killing bugs but in a Bad infestation a product with a active ingredient of Pyrethrin would be better.

 

[birdwrangler057]

Yep everyone has a opinion

.It may be decent at killing bugs but in a Bad infestation a product with a active ingredient of Pyrethrin would be better.

Okay, what is the price difference than, because if I switch, I don't want to be charged out the wazoo.

 

[Isaac 0]

Quote: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/y-tex-gardstar-garden-poultry-dust-shaker-can-2-lb

De is cheaper.