chicken with dandruff and all fluffed up

[rita]

hi i have 3 chickens that have plenty of room to run around in they have access to grass and two dust baths.
my bluebell has lost lots of feathers and lots around her bum area so it is bare, the other two sometimes peck at her feathers, i picked her up today to check her out and she has lots of pin feathers coming all over her and she is covered with dandruff, that's what it looks like, i think that is what the other two chickens try to peck at.
why would she have this i have kept chickens for many years and i have not noticed this dandruff before, also she is not her self, she is all puffed up and feeling really sorry for herself, she is about 3 years old. they normally molt without any problems. also when i picked her up she felt very warm and she clucked really loud when i picked her up almost if it hurt her.
anyone with any idea's what is wrong.
they are wormed regularly and there is not mite problems.
she is fed on grain, wheat, corn and have pasta and rice also meal worms everyday. they have access to grass all day and get fresh greens added.

 

[chrismahon]

Perhaps if she is separated but still in contact she can feather up uninterrupted and reintroduced without problems. I think it is congenital as one of our cockerels has the same dandruff but stands up for himself.

 

[Chuck]

It's a moult and the new feathers are coming through, and the 'dandruff' is the sheaths of the new feathers which are peeling off. The new quills are very tempting for the other hens as they are filled with blood near the body. She will look uncomfortable and avoid handling her if possible as the new feathers can get damaged.

 

[rita]

hi thank you for your response, she is eating fine.
i will keep an eye on her and see how things go.

 

[BabyBantam]

Agree with chuck. Mine also shed loads of dandruff when moulting. Don't pick her up if possible, due to the blood in the new feathers coming through. If you damage one and it bleeds, she's in trouble from pecking even more than now. Best thing is keep an eye on her, but dont worry too much as she'll take a good couple of weeks at least to cheer up and become herself again - must be pretty painful for her and takes a lot of energy.