Other Issues

How do you know whether feather loss results from molting or some other, more sinister cause? Begin your detective work by paying attention to time of year (molting usually occurs in the autumn) and to the overall plumage condition and behavior of each individual. ■ Do one or more birds sport embarrassing bald spots? ■ Do you have a randy rooster in the flock? ■ Have you noticed a lot of pecking-order scues? ■ Are your birds preening overzealously and looking bedraggled? “Localized feather loss — usually on the rump, back or tops of wings — is almost always caused by feather picking among flock mates or overbreeding by a rooster,” says James Hermes, PH.D., an extension poultry specialist at Oregon State University. “Molting doesn’t typically cause a naked spot.” Broken, frayed feathers can also signal that another bird is the o‹ender. Feather picking can be a vicious cycle, Hermes explains. As new blood feathers sprout in the injured area, other chickens peck at them and like the taste. “We’re not sure why they start or why they stop, but sometimes, you need to separate the picked-on bird from the rest of the flock until those feathers grow back.” External parasites — notably mites and lice — can damage your flock’s plumage as well, although these pests usually don’t cause outright feather loss. An exception is the microscopic depluming mite, which burrows into the feather follicle and causes intense itching and pain, leading the bird to pull its own feathers. Any dull, unkempt plumage outside of molting season calls for a closer inspection. “Pick up your birds and look them over,” Hermes says. “Red mites will be on the birds at night, and adult lice are pretty obvious. You might see little deposits of eggs that look like cement at the base of feathers. Lice are mostly interested in eating skin dander but you’ll often see holes in the feathers as well.” Once you’ve identified which parasites you’re dealing with, treat accordingly.