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Answered in 1 day by:
6/17/2010
Andrea Roberts, Bird Veterinarian
Category: Bird Veterinary
Satisfied Customers: 2,379
Experience: 15 years as a companion animal veterinarian; BVMS and MRCVS.
VerifiedHi there
The most common reasons for what you are describing are mites/lice, feather pecking by other birds, and seasonal moulting.
The fact that you have eliminated lice/mites using the powder, and that most of them are affected eliminates feather pecking (as 1 is usually bullied), means that this is likely to be linked to moulting.
This is a normal change in the feathers related to day length- a small gland in the brain called the 'pineal gland' causes hormonal changes resulting in feather loss.
In laying hens, as they tend to put all their resources into laying eggs, regrowth of feathers can be put on the back burner- as the body places this low in priority.
It can help to add a supplement to the diet- such as calcified seaweed or 'poultry spice', as this contains the vitamins/minerals important for feather regrowth, and may encourage a faster emergence of new feathers.
The skin around the rear end often looks sore- mainly because chicken skin is very red in color anyway- so as long as the skin isn't broken or scabby then i wouldn't apply anything directly on the skin.
The feathers should regrow eventually when hormonal changes/mineral balances allow, but may be a slow process.
Regards Andrea
Edited by XXXXX XXXXX on 6/17/2010 at 1:54 PM EST
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