PoultryTalk.com

Hi, I'm Jo and I'm new to this forum. I was looking for some help with one of my chickens, Roxy, a black rock. I found you via facebook and I've put a post on there but I thought I would join the forum too and see whats a going on ;) Anyway, as you can see from the photos she has rather a severe problem with her feathers. since the moult last year she hasn't really grown any back and it's getting worse, we also had a rather nasty red mite outbreak at the same time but I took care of that and am still treating her even though the other 7 hens in the coop don't have any...at all! I've treated red mite, scaly leg and wormed them but nothing seems to work. I'm considering tryin them on some ex-batt crumb/pellet to perhaps give her a boost but was wondering if anyone could tell me specifically what they think this is, I'm really worried for her. She also is laying softies and brittl ones so I supplement the mash with limeflour but that doesn't help much. I have two hens laying sopfties, the other is a warren. I've just started them on poultry spice pellets and they have all 'perked' up but it's not helping her with her feathers or the softies. Thanks BB ~~jo~~

Have you seen her plucking at her feathers? I Kind of went through the same thing. I Wormed my pen as they were having soft and brittle eggs, as well as on the thin side. I had noticed that my cockerel had been picking the feathers of his wings and feet, I treated the coop for mites even though there were nona and clean the coop regularly. I painted him with blu-Kote which seems to have helped, I see his feathers coming back and he is no longer picking at himself. I always dust the coop with diatomaceous earth after cleaning the coop, but i think he has an allergy too it so i clean the coop regularly but don't dust it as often and that also seems to help.

Hi Momma Hen, thanks for your speedy reply. I haven't seen Roxy plcuking her feathers just preening, but the last couple weeks one of our warrens has started to preen her, and it isn't malicious, Roxy actually goes to where Scarlett is, siddles as close as she can, starts to preen herself and let's Scarlett do it. I was under the impression that they didnt like other hens doing that but Roxy encourages her though I must say this is only recent so I wouldn't think it has anything to do with the feather loss. I must say if you haven't noticed from the photos she actually has wry-neck and has a little trouble preening her right side, the side that Scarlett does...?

Yes the Blu-Kote is similar to purple spray! I think some ex-bat crumb is a good idea and will help her with the healing. I will try the poultry spice or Limeflour for my hens as it is all of them that have soft or brittle eggs, i don't have to worry about giving it to all of them!