Few bare rumps on a couple hens

[aart]

Here's the DE I used... http://stgabrielorganics.com/product/insect-dust-diatomaceous-earth

I can't read the actual ingredients....but know that DE will not kill off a mite/lice infestation.

That looks like it could just be picking from crowding and/or lack of protein,
which are the first things to look at.
Could also be the invisible feather shaft mites.
Whatever caused the feather loss, they won't likely grow back until a molt which might not happen until they are ~18 months old.

Have you actually seen the mites?
Need to know so you can treat effectively.
Check them over real well for mites and/or lice.

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).



Best description I've seen on telling which mites are which:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[Hoytman]

My coop/run is 11'Lx11'Wx6'H. The birds have been in there since Oct. 4th. I don't have the outside run finished yet and have NOT let them outside to free range yet. Probably time I do that some during the day or evening. To be honest...being first time chicken owners...and having hawks near by...I'm a bit afraid to let them out. I guess that's natural.

I will be fencing off an area big enough for double the amount of birds I have, so I'm sure that will help.

Feed Purina Layer pellets, as well as some greens, scratch grains, some field corn on the cob, and some cracked corn, with some grit too. Trying to give them a variety...even some dried meal worms. However, I don't give the the corn every day...just pellets and scratch grains mostly...greens when we have extra.

Just to note...
Our rooster lost his tail feathers this way when we had all the birds in the much too small coop...so I isolated him into his own pen... and they grew back in a few weeks.

EDIT:
Here's a link to the new coop/run...I call it that because it serves both purposes at this time. The birds keep roosting under the old dog box at night. I'm going to change this...deny them access there...and build an elevated roost w/poop box in the corner. I will also start letting my birds out more during the day when I get the fence built.

Remember...I had these birds really cooped up...pun intended...for the first several months of their life...in a 4'x8'x2' covered box...that was it. Here's the new big coop/run. Never again will I put birds in my garage...and never again will I put that many birds in that small of a space for that length of time.

I realize I'm still a bit over crowded, but with many more additional daytime roosting spots there shouldn't be too many birds at once on the floor...therefore adding to the square footage per bird. I also plan to build a permanent coop and run next spring.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ersion-to-a-semii-permanent-coop-run.1278741/

 

[MissChick@dee]

Rear end feather picking do you have a bully?

 

[Hoytman]

Rear end feather picking do you have a bully?

I see several bird picking at others occasionally...but I often see at least one of the two leghorns pecking quite often. That could be the issue more so than the few mites I might still have.

To be clear, when I disassembled the small box and moved the birds to the new coop, I did find brown mites crawling on the plywood after I removed the old shavings. I had to look really close to see them, but they were there.

Those leghorns are so active and skiddish...I'm thinking they keep the entire flock worked up. Hopefully that will change some when I start letting them out.

 

[MissChick@dee]

New adjustments cause stress silly birds those leghorns (I love them though) more space is always good. My leghorn acts like a jerk towards others if she’s pend in.
I was looking into pinless peepers. They’re kinda cool. I think it would work well to bring bully’s down a notch.
Good catch on the mites that’s enough to upset a flock. Be sure and get the eggs treated. They can lay dormant over winter and hatch in spring. Best wishes

 

[Hoytman]

I have another question about the mites and composted bedding...perhaps this question should have it's own topic, so I will create a new thread.

 

[123RedBeard]

Extra, more space should help with the feather picking ... food sounds OK

 

[Hoytman]

Extra, more space should help with the feather picking ... food sounds OK

Glad the feed sounds ok.

Leghorn layed her first egg yesterday. My son was stoked! LOL!!! She was in the nest this morning when feeding too.