MITES? Over-preening? Moulting???

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Hi there

My bantams are 25 weeks old this week and I am noticing feather loss. I noticed it on a few of my D'Uccles first. They really stick together and groom each other a lot...so I thought, maybe it's over-preening. My cockerel was literally "hen-pecked" on his chest about two months ago when the girls were over-helping him. All his feathers grew back and he's looked solid since!

Of course, tonight right at dusk, I notice that one of my three Cochins has feather loss. She is missing feathers on the top of her head. The D'Uccles are missing feathers on their upper neck under their beak. Now I'm thinking...these are both feather-legged birds. Mites?

I checked everyone's vents and they look totally clean and healthy. Attached are some pics. Sorry--I took them at dusk with an unwilling flash.

Any and all advice welcome. Thank you!!

 

[sourland]

One or more birds are feather pecking/plucking - probably those in the flock in best feather.

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

One or more birds are feather pecking/plucking - probably those in the flock in best feather.

Thank you!!
I've seen them do it to the cockerel but have not caught them do it to each other. Do you mean they are targeting the birds with the nicest feathers?

 

[sourland]

Some birds just develop a feather plucking problem. The pin feathers are high in nutrients. Some feel that it may be an indication of not enough protein in the diet, and this may be true. I believe that boredom is also a factor. It can become a difficult habit to break.

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Some birds just develop a feather plucking problem. The pin feathers are high in nutrients. Some feel that it may be an indication of not enough protein in the diet, and this may be true. I believe that boredom is also a factor. It can become a difficult habit to break.

Thank you! I'll start watching more closely. Boredom is hard in the Winter. I try to throw a lot of new stuff at them! But there's always room for improvement!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

I'm really surprised the Cochin got pecked because she is very high in the pecking order.

 

[sourland]

Hanging cabbage, flock block, scattered grains can help with boredom. Protein supplementation can cover possible protein needs.

 

[sourland]

I'm really surprised the Cochin got pecked because she is very high in the pecking order.

That picture is a bit blurry but almost looks like rooster mating damage. Hard to be sure.

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

Hanging cabbage, flock block, scattered grains can help with boredom. Protein supplementation can cover possible protein needs.

I'm doing all those things. I'll do more!!

 

[Arbutus Peregrine]

That picture is a bit blurry but almost looks like rooster mating damage. Hard to be sure.

The two boys are currently looking for homes. Yikes I've never seen them mate a Cochin...but it's probably happening!