Mosquito bites

[OversaltedEgg]

I have three chickens that are missing some feathers due to a feather picking habit, so parts of their skin is exposed. I live in Alabama, so in the summer the mosquitos are really bad. I been wondering if the mosquitos will bite their exposed skin? If so, is there a deterrent I can maybe use to prevent it?

 

[GodLovesU]

Have these hens molted lately? I think there are actually some diseases that chickens can get from mosquitos, but I could be wrong. What conditions are the birds living in?

 

[OversaltedEgg]

They’re only 9 months old so they haven’t molted yet. They free-range in the afternoon and go inside for the night. I been adding in some distractions for them so that the main feather-pecker stops. Other than the messing rear feathers they’re happy and healthy.

 

[GodLovesU]

@Eggcessive

 

[Eggcessive]

Mosquitoes are pretty bad in the Deep South in spring, summer, and fall. Do you have any pictures of the missing feathers? Have you seen any scabs on the combs, wattles or faces? Or are you just worried about pox come summer? How much room do they have in the coop and run for how many birds? Are any cockerels? Pinless peepers may be used on a bully to help prevent their aim in pecking feathers. How much protein is in their feed and diet?

 

[OversaltedEgg]

The top photo is from when it first started getting bad in the November and the bottom is recently. I’ll try to get pictures of the other three tomorrow. I haven’t seen any scabs anywhere, last summer mosquitos didn’t seem to bother them as much. I’m just worried about disease or further irritation. The coop itself is 5x5 and the run is 5 x 4 1/2. It houses 4 chickens with no cockerels. Their feed has 19% protein. I’ve been thinking of using pinless peepers but I feel it’s might be painful so I’ve been using peck-no-more lotion and blue-kote.

 

[Eggcessive]

Are they getting outside to free range daily? Boredom and overcrowding are possible reasons for feather picking.

 

[OversaltedEgg]

They come outside to free range everyday unless the weather is bad. I’ve been in the process of getting toys just in case they are bored, but right now they have a food block to peck on when their bored.