Hen Losing Feathers & Signs of Injury Need Advice!

[CluckWhisperer]

Hello everyone,

Were new to chicken keeping and could use some help diagnosing an issue in our flock. Our hens are around 7-8 months old and all actively laying. At first, we thought we were dealing with bullying, but now were not so sure. One particular hen seems more passive than the others and often stays inside the coop, avoiding interaction.

Weve also noticed multiple hens showing feather loss, especially on their legs and underbellies. While inspecting them, we found one hen with a bare patch just above her tail, and recently, we noticed fresh blood in that area. This patch has been there for a couple of weeks, but we havent seen any mites or lice, nor have we found any eggs or visible parasites on their skin.

Does this sound like pecking, parasites, or possibly something else? What would be the best approach for treatment? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[NestNurturer]

Hello everyone,

Were new to chicken keeping and could use some help diagnosing an issue in our flock. Our hens are around 7-8 months old and all actively laying. At first, we thought we were dealing with bullying, but now were not so sure. One particular hen seems more passive than the others and often stays inside the coop, avoiding interaction.

Weve also noticed multiple hens showing feather loss, especially on their legs and underbellies. While inspecting them, we found one hen with a bare patch just above her tail, and recently, we noticed fresh blood in that area. This patch has been there for a couple of weeks, but we havent seen any mites or lice, nor have we found any eggs or visible parasites on their skin.

Does this sound like pecking, parasites, or possibly something else? What would be the best approach for treatment? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

If they're laying well but losing feathers, they might need more protein. Try boosting their intake with sunflower seeds, cooked eggs, or a higher-protein feed.

[BantamBoss]

Even if you don't see mites, consider treating for them. Dust with poultry-safe DE or permethrin and check the coop for signs of infestation.

[FreeRangeDreamer]

Some hens self-peck due to stress or boredom. Try providing enrichment like cabbage balls or hanging treats to keep them occupied.

[HenHobbyist]

Hello everyone,

Were new to chicken keeping and could use some help diagnosing an issue in our flock. Our hens are around 7-8 months old and all actively laying. At first, we thought we were dealing with bullying, but now were not so sure. One particular hen seems more passive than the others and often stays inside the coop, avoiding interaction.

Weve also noticed multiple hens showing feather loss, especially on their legs and underbellies. While inspecting them, we found one hen with a bare patch just above her tail, and recently, we noticed fresh blood in that area. This patch has been there for a couple of weeks, but we havent seen any mites or lice, nor have we found any eggs or visible parasites on their skin.

Does this sound like pecking, parasites, or possibly something else? What would be the best approach for treatment? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Feather loss on multiple hens makes me think of mites, especially if it's concentrated on their legs and underbellies. Some mites don't leave eggs but still cause irritation and damage. Try running your hand against the feathers near the vent,sometimes you'll see tiny dark specks moving quickly. If it's mites, treating both the birds and the coop with permethrin is usually the most effective solution. In the meantime, applying an antiseptic spray to the wounded hen will prevent infection. Have you seen any of them acting extra itchy?

[BeckyBroody]

It could be mild feather picking or overmating. Try using Blu-Kote on the wound and observe if others are pecking at her.

[HenHaven]

Check for feather pecking and overbreeding. A hen saddle might help if a rooster is involved. Increase protein to help with regrowth.

[FeatheredTraveler]

Even without mites, a dust bath with wood ash or diatomaceous earth could help. Adding dried herbs like oregano and thyme may also deter pests naturally.

[CoopCaretaker]

Some breeds are more prone to feather picking. If it's behavioral, increasing space, adding perches, and distracting them with treats or foraging activities may help.

[HappyHatchery]

Since multiple birds have feather loss, I'd suspect an environmental issue, like mites or protein deficiency. Even if you don't see mites, they can be tricky to spot, especially on darker feathers. Dusting them with permethrin and deep cleaning the coop might be a good precautionary measure. Another factor to consider is their dust bathing area,do they have one? Chickens naturally control mites by dust bathing, so ensuring they have dry, loose soil or sand could help prevent infestations.