Molting or mites

[Khaas0430]

Hello. 19 week old chicken. Is this her last juvenile molt or mites?! New chicken owner here

 

[Khaas0430]

To add. The blood is because a different pullet pecked at the area

 

[nuthatched]

She's being picked.

 

[Khaas0430]

She's being picked.

I’m new to all of this. In your opinion it doesn’t look like mites or lice? I dunno if I’m just going crazy but a couple of the others I saw today pecking at themselves and I don’t wanna do anything wrong. But I know it’s normal for them to peck at themselves too.

 

[AGeese]

Well you'll have to check them because chickens regularly preen themselves. But hard to say looking at the picture. Deplumping mites clump up around the base of the feathers I believe.

The photos aren't clear enough, but if she is being pecked that can become a vector for all kinds of infections so you'll want to address that first if that is in fact happening and separate them or give them more space.

 

[nuthatched]

I’m new to all of this. In your opinion it doesn’t look like mites or lice? I dunno if I’m just going crazy but a couple of the others I saw today pecking at themselves and I don’t wanna do anything wrong. But I know it’s normal for them to peck at themselves too.

It's normal to preen, not to peck. Lice eggs will look like clumps of dirt on the base of feathers, mites will look like moving dirt.
Picking is caused by
Nutritional imbalance
Tight quarters
Pests
Boredom

 

[Khaas0430]

Thank you for that clarification. It seems they are preening. But I saw one peck at this one’s area that has less feathers. Also…I just got these pullets 5 days ago.Could mites/lice be that quick to cause this damage? Or could it be stress or all the above. Ugh I have stuff for them to perch on in their run Fresh food and water Treats And two areas for dust bathing I just wanna be a good chicken mama

 

[nuthatched]

Thank you for that clarification. It seems they are preening. But I saw one peck at this one’s area that has less feathers. Also…I just got these pullets 5 days ago.Could mites/lice be that quick to cause this damage? Or could it be stress or all the above. Ugh I have stuff for them to perch on in their run Fresh food and water Treats And two areas for dust bathing I just wanna be a good chicken mama

What's their complete diet?
Mites and lice don't damage, it's the chickens being irritated that causes damage.

 

[Khaas0430]

16% layer feed, but I am realizing literally at this second….they still need grower feed until they actually start producing eggs. Even though they are 19 weeks old?