Solitary chicken - need advice

[Linda B]

Can anybody throw some light on how to solve my dilemma? I have 4 girls and over the last few months they are losing more and more feathers . Most are completely bald on their bellies and just above the tail, and big areas where they do have their feathers look as if the feathers have been shredded. I have checked for red mite, none found. I've checked for lice, none found. Bumper bits on all 4 (although they all do still try to peck). I've taken my best behaved girl to the vet who suggested it may be a skin allergy, otherwise given a clean bill of health.

 

They have aubiose in the nesting box (which they do sleep in) and bark chips in the run (maybe this is the problem?).

 

Help - beginning to despair!! Just want my gorgeous fluffy girls back to make me happy again!

[JamesH]

What feed do they get? is it high enough in protein? They might be eating them off each other and themselves.

[chickencam]

I have bare chickens too and dust regularly for mites and 2 of them wear bumper bits all the time. I envy other peoples fluffy girls. Once they sstart with feather pulling it is hard to stop them.

 

I am hoping that when they moult they will grow a full set of nice feathers each.

[Egluntyne]

Maybe they need more protein in their diet. Try then with rinsed tuna, or organic cat food.

[chickenanne]

I thought I posted this yesterday... how odd...

IMO you should feed a good quality layers pellet, have plenty of fresh water, and offer some greens (if not free-ranging). Keep treats etc to a minimum as they don't represent a balanced diet - the chickes will fill up on the treats, effectively junk food, and miss out on important nutrients from the pellets.

Are you feeding corn? This is too heating for the summmer, and does bring on feather loss in warmer weather.