Mites?

[TracyLyn]

This is Esther. Over the weekend I noticed her butt was bare and she had some bleeding. I cleaned her up and sprayed with Vetericyn. Today I noticed neck feathers that were broken or missing and I did see her picking at her feathers as well. She is eating and scratching normally but she seems to be developing more areas of concern. Is this mites? None of my other girls are having this issue. Thanks!

 

[Debbie292d]

Those feathers look pulled out and is that bruising? I'd have thought perhaps molting because she's growing some new ones, but bleeding and bruising isn't caused when they molt unless it's both. I suspect someone's picking on her.

Feather picking can be caused by several things, but the number two reasons are overcrowding and/or lack of protein.

Chicken coops should be about 4 sq feet per bird and runs about 15 sq feet per bird.

If feeding layer feed, you might want to consider an all-flock which is usually 20% protein vs 16%, on average. You would then need to provide a separate dish of oyster shell at all times as all-flock feeds have less of it.

If she also may have mites, most use Permethrin/garden powder. Cover her well with it, probably all of your chickens too, then all of the areas of the coop including nest boxes. You might want to clean the coop before you do that.

 

[TracyLyn]

Overcrowding isn’t a problem but I was also thinking maybe a protein issue. She is only 9 months so too young for a molt and from what I have seen on our cameras, she is not one to be pushed around.

I have a vet appointment tomorrow so we shall see.

Thanks for the response!

 

[Debbie292d]

Overcrowding isn’t a problem but I was also thinking maybe a protein issue. She is only 9 months so too young for a molt and from what I have seen on our cameras, she is not one to be pushed around.

I have a vet appointment tomorrow so we shall see.

Thanks for the response!

Awesome! Let us know what the vet finds out! I hope it's nothing more serious!

 

[nuthatched]

Overcrowding isn’t a problem but I was also thinking maybe a protein issue. She is only 9 months so too young for a molt and from what I have seen on our cameras, she is not one to be pushed around.

I have a vet appointment tomorrow so we shall see.

Thanks for the response!

9 months is not too young at all, almost all birds go through a mini molt every other month until about a year old.

 

[TracyLyn]

No mites or lice so it looks like a protein issue. Vet gave her a vitamin injection, said to keep her separate for 7-10 days, and feed her a higher protein food.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Debbie292d]

No mites or lice so it looks like a protein issue. Vet gave her a vitamin injection, said to keep her separate for 7-10 days, and feed her a higher protein food.

Thanks for the help!

That's great news! Thanks for letting us know!

The all flock whenever you can start will definitely help then! Scrambled eggs, tuna, mealworms, etc. are all high in protein in case you'll take a few days to get some, you could give those as treats in the meantime.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

This is Esther. Over the weekend I noticed her butt was bare and she had some bleeding. I cleaned her up and sprayed with Vetericyn. Today I noticed neck feathers that were broken or missing and I did see her picking at her feathers as well. She is eating and scratching normally but she seems to be developing more areas of concern. Is this mites? None of my other girls are having this issue. Thanks!

Overcrowding isn’t a problem but I was also thinking maybe a protein issue. She is only 9 months so too young for a molt and from what I have seen on our cameras, she is not one to be pushed around.

I have a vet appointment tomorrow so we shall see.

Thanks for the response!

This is Esther. Over the weekend I noticed her butt was bare and she had some bleeding. I cleaned her up and sprayed with Vetericyn. Today I noticed neck feathers that were broken or missing and I did see her picking at her feathers as well. She is eating and scratching normally but she seems to be developing more areas of concern. Is this mites? None of my other girls are having this issue. Thanks!

Overcrowding isn’t a problem but I was also thinking maybe a protein issue. She is only 9 months so too young for a molt and from what I have seen on our cameras, she is not one to be pushed around.

I have a vet appointment tomorrow so we shall see.

Thanks for the response!

No mites or lice so it looks like a protein issue. Vet gave her a vitamin injection, said to hkeeper separate for 7-10 days, and feed her a higher protein food.

Thanks for the help!

How large of a space do you have for roosting? Sqft of coop/run and roosting bar?

She's being picked at on her bottom. I see bruising and a wound that needs to be tended to. Apply some triple antibiotic ointment to the scabs and see if it heals.
Is keeping her separated so she can heal? I'd keep her within in the coop/run so Re-Integration isn't quite so dramatic.

Observe to see who is plucking/picking at her bottom. Usually this is during roosting time. If it's just 1 offender and you have plenty of space, put some Pinless Peepers on the picker.

She definitely is growing in feathers on her head, I see pin feathers. She may be going through a light molt at the age of 9 months. Every bird is different, it's not that uncommon for one to molt at this age.

 

[TracyLyn]

Well, 3 days later and I am not seeing any improvement. She is eating, drinking, and moving very little, and she is still losing feathers (unsure if she is plucking them). I have her separated from the others but I wonder if that is doing more harm than good. Would putting her back with the others be a bad move? Thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well, 3 days later and I am not seeing any improvement. She is eating, drinking, and moving very little, and she is still losing feathers (unsure if she is plucking them). I have her separated from the others but I wonder if that is doing more harm than good. Would putting her back with the others be a bad move? Thank you!

At this point, I'd leave her separated out, especially if she's declining. She very likely will be picked at now.

When was her last egg?

Can you please post a photo of all of her?

Have you addressed/treated the wound under her vent?

I'd work on hydration, encourage her to eat her normal feed. Check for lice/mites, make sure her crop is emptying and treat her wounds.