[mick.c]

Hello All
We have 3 chickens a Bueno Nero a White Sussex and a Warren . The Warren has always had a bald red bum which we have posted on this site previously and have been quite happy with over the last 2 years . However now she has started losing feathers off her back at the base of her tail some of the feathers look broken and the skin looks slightly irritated . The other two chickens are showing no signs of baldness or itching . The only other problem we have had is Scaley Leg which we are treating all birds with  leg baths and Proton ointment, any ideas?

[Aunt Sally]

Is she being pecked by the other two birds  :?:

[mick.c]

Dont think so not noticable during daylight , maybe at night but these birds have been together for over 3 years without problems

[Aunt Sally]

Can you post a picture Mick

This is how to http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=8645

Scroll down to the right bit.

[mick.c]

Will try but being a technophobe dont hold your nbreath.

[Aunt Sally]

You can do it Mick  

[mick.c]

OK the words you can do it are probably correct however there seems to be a problen with my phones blue tooth so when the digital camera has charged , will try again to post a photo , (it was so much easier with chalk and slate ) will get one on there tomorrow or die trying (not)

[heatherrevell]

Hi Mick,
Just to let you know that I have exactly the same problem with a new chicken that I got from a pet place. Feathers are tatty, bald area at base of tail, very red etc. I had a good look a couple of days ago, in the evening and I could see tiny cream/light brown 'nits' crawling over the area. Internet check showed me that my chicken had lice so I contacted the place where I bought her and complained. Lady said that it was normal to have to treat chickens for lice a few times a year, especially in hot weather. I brought lice powder (£9.45 for a large powder shaker) and had to powder chicken and rub it down close to the base of the feathers.  Also shook powder into nesting area.  Hen seems much happier now (need to have another check tonight). Lice are more obvious at night so have a look!
Hen has yet to lay me an egg though!!!
Hope this is helpful,
Heather

[mick.c]

Photo of our baldig chicken courtesy of my son Tom

[Bodger]

If she's got a few crawlies on her and they are irritating her, then she may well be pecking at herself, so the first thing that i'd do is to debug here and then take it from there.

[mick.c]

OK thanks for the advice , will de-bug and take it from there.

[Aunt Sally]

Lady said that it was normal to have to treat chickens for lice a few times a year, especially in hot weather.

That's nonsense to me.  I've kept chickens for 3 years and have never had lice or mites, so it shows that the "Pet Place"" is just not paying good attention to hygiene  :evil:

Have a read through out external parasites article to learn more about the little devils

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=5250