why is one hen loosing more and more feathers?

[Cris_D]

I have 5 silkies, 3 girls and 2 boys. I raised then from chicks and they're nearly a year old. They lived together until I separated boys from girls 6 weeks ago, because I thought the feather loss in the littlest girl (named Shadow) was from overmating. They seemed to be happy together though, no (other) signs of bullying. The only pair I've ever witnessed mating is Shadow with Bipety and Shadow is the little feisty runt of the hatch. Bipety is actually a very nice guy.
Anyway since separating boys from girls, Shadow's feathers haven't grown back, she's lost way more. The bald patch on the front of her neck/throat is nearly all the way around to the back now and the patch missing on her left butt is bigger. Her wing feathers look gnawed off at the tips. No other Birds have bald patches. What's causing the feather loss??? How to I help her?

In the meantime another hen has gone broody, but I took all the eggs from under her because I removed the roosters so long ago, the eggs wouldn't be fertile. I would like chicks though, so I tried putting a rooster with the ladies, and Shadow attacked him. I tried again with them outside together, and again Shadow attacked him.

How can I get the flock back together? Or do they need to stay apart?

 

[Battlepants]

For the missing feathers, I would suggest checking her over for mites. If she is really itchy, she might be self-plucking.

For the reintroduction of a roo, is it possible to set up two runs next to eachother so they can have face-to-face interactions but not be able to attack eachother? Alternatively, setting up a smaller run inside the bigger run. If they exist like this for a week or so, they MIGHT be able to be reintroduced without attacking.

Alternative path - If Shadow is the only attacker, maybe remove Shadow from the flock for a couple days while you introduce the rooster. Let everyone get fertilized then bring back Shadow while re-removing the rooster?

 

[Tonyroo]

If she's around a year old she will be going into molt. But check her for mites and lice to confirm it's not that.

 

[Tonyroo]

If she is molting, try to give her 20% protein feed to help her in her molt. She won't need layer feed.

 

[samanthaoverton]

How is there diet? Sometimes hens peck and eat feathers if they aren't getting enough calcium or protein..with the rooster try see and no touch for a couple weeks ,then see how they do. Put him in something temporary where they can see him but can't get at him.

 

[Animal Export]

i think because of the male