chicken with dandruff.

[rita]

hi my bluebell chicken has lost lots of feathers with new feathers coming through but she is not herself, the other chickens keep pecking at her feathers and when i picked her up today i noticed she is covered in dandruff, does anyone know what is causing this, i have kept chickens for 15 years and not seen this before.
she is fed grain, corn, mealworms and i give them pasta and rice, the others are all fine.
she has a nice area to run in and has two dig area's to take dust bath, has access to grass.
any advice would be great.

 

[darkbrowneggs]

As each new feather is formed it is grown within a waxy sort of sheath and once the feather grows large enough this is shed, giving a dandruffy stuff, often seen under the night perches

Its not good news that the others are pecking at her feathers. New feathers are full of blood and protein and once her flock mates get a taste for them they may keep picking out any new feathers as they grow, which will bring her down. Maybe if you could keep her away from them till she is fully feathered, and also make sure the others are getting sufficient protein in their diet, or if they are, that they are not bored and just pecking for something to do. A cabbage on a string or wheat thrown in the bedding for them to scratch out can be helpful.

Also check they have no lice of any decription. Chickens have supersharp eyesite and this can often start feather pecking. Pick her up and carry her round under your arm for 10 or 20 mins, if you start to itch....... :?

 

[Marigold]

.....and take your coat off first!
I've found they don't like being handled when moulting, I think they feel more tender when the feathers are coming through, and are also more difficult to catch even if normally tame. When they are not in moult the crouch reflex is temporarily lost and this makes them able to run away more effectively!
Could you perhaps divide the run with netting so she can see the others but live separately for a week or two, and also give her some high- protein supplements/ treats such as sunflower seeds, cod liver oil, or a multivitamin powder for chickens added to a nice warm mash in the afternoons? She can still roost with them at night so she stays integrated.

 

[Icemaiden]

<snip>When they are not in moult the crouch reflex is temporarily lost <snip>

What's the "crouch reflex"? I've not heard of this before...

 

[chrismahon]

Replied to your other post Rita. Yes the dandruff could be feather sheaths being shed. But our cockerel has skin dandruff. I know because they are Naked Necks and it is therefore pretty obvious.

 

[Marigold]

<snip>When they are not in moult the crouch reflex is temporarily lost <snip>

What's the "crouch reflex"? I've not heard of this before...

It's just what I call the reflex where a hen in lay spreads her wings, lowers her head and stands still when you put your hand on her back, or even just hover over her. It's because she is showing she's ready for the attentions of a cockerel. (Whether not she has ever actually seen one, yourss won't have done, or mine!)

 

[Chuck]

I've replied on the other post too and believe it's the sheaths of the new feathers causing the 'dandruff' and the new feathers are very tempting to the other hens as they are filled with blood near the body. Moulting is natural and they really don't need any extra feeding, they just need time.
They don't like being handled in this state and the new feathers are easily damaged.

 

[rita]

yes she didn't do the crouch when i went to pick her up so i know that it must be painful for her.
she does give the other two a donk on the head if they get to close which seems to be working.
i will add more protein in there diet when they are in a molt, they do have plenty of room to run around in and have access to grass all day.