Author Topic: Feather loss and reddened skin in cockerel (Read 2457 times)

suziequeue · « **on:** August 28, 2014, 09:25:14 am »

I have just spent a happy two hours de-lousing or entire flock and I noticed that our cockerel has got quite a lot of feathers missing. Most of the older flock hens seem to be going through a moult at the moment but the cockerel's skin is quite reddened as well as the feathers going. I didn't notice any creatures/lice on him when I checked (but that's no guarantee!!).

Anybody know what the problem might be?

I have tried blow torching the inside of the house to check for red mite and we keep the place very dry and spray/dust regularly with anti-mite stuff so I am reasonably confident it's not that. Also - he seems to be the only one with the problem..... the others are moulting but their skin isn't reddened.

lord flynn · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2014, 09:28:31 am »

are the girls overgrooming him? I had to separate my cockerel last year when he was moulting as the hens were attacking his pin feathers. As he's the boy and if you never intend to eat him, I'd stick some ivermectin on him to ensure there are no visitors and purple spray (if you don't show!) him.

suziequeue · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2014, 09:59:54 am »

Thankyou. I will try with the Ivermectin. I have a couple of bottles that I got online but haven't used yet.

Castle Farm · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2014, 11:05:34 am »

Bare skin will turn very red when exposed to sunlight.

Drop his protein intake and he will start losing his feathers. Once he has started losing wing feathers up the protein. He should take about 6 weeks to re feather before winter day light levels drop.

suziequeue · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2014, 06:37:51 pm »

Quote from: Castle Farm on August 28, 2014, 11:05:34 am

Bare skin will turn very red when exposed to sunlight.

Drop his protein intake and he will start losing his feathers. Once he has started losing wing feathers up the protein. He should take about 6 weeks to re feather before winter day light levels drop.

Problem is that he is in with all the rest of them. Is it OK to drop the protein levels for the entire flock? or keep him in isolation for six weeks?

The reddened skin is not in areas exposed to the sun. Apart from his front neck area, the rest of the unfeathered/red bits are underneath