Matted feathers

[Cheshuntchick]

Hi everyone,I'm a bit of a newbie in the chook keeping arena and could do with a bit of advice.I got three new girls about six weeks ago about 26 weeks old.One of them has developed a bit of a cough and has lice which I am dealing with by dusting with Diatom.I am also dusting the other two at the same time.I have ordered some Respite for the cough and she is also on Poultry Tonic.What is concerning me is that her feathers under her wings where they join her body are very matted and hard and she is a bit smelly as well.This can't be very comfortable for her,she looks a bit sad.Also her feathers on her thighs are matted a little but not as bad as her wings.The other two girls appear fine and are eating well.Dolly hasn't been quite right since I got her and is not eating her pellets as much as the other two.She has porridge oats mixed with scrambled egg,grated apple and chopped garlic for her breakfast to make sure that she is eating something.She LOVES this.
Any help would be appreciated.

[Glutton4...]

Hi and welcome to the Madhouse!

Sounds like the breeder/dealer needs a sharp talking too. I'd ask for my money back (but keep the Chook) if they're in a state, too. I believe you can bath them in a mild solution of pet shampoo, which will probably help, but you'll have to dry her thoroughly afterwards in this chilly weather. Good luck with them.

Has anyone told you, we neeeeeed pictures!!!?

[RichmondHens]

Welcome to the Vine Cheshuntchick (presume you live near Cheshunt?)

I think you have been sold a duff bird by the breeder. Feather problems can be hereditary and difficult to put right. Still I would try bathing her to see if it helps, making sure that she is dried thoroughly (towel then hairdryer low setting). As she is a little sniffly it would be worth keeping her separate from the others in case it is more than an ordinary cold. She will need a bit of TLC after bathing anyway as the natural oils in the feathers will have been stripped off - keep her under cover/inside for at least a week if you can. If the sniffles get worse ask your vet to see her incase she has mycoplasmosis (read up on this on other threads on here) as this will need antibiotic treatment.

It does make me angry that there seems to be so many unscrupulous breeders out there happy to offload chickens that are below par to unsuspecting newbie keepers. I would never sell a bird that wasn't 100% fit and well.

[Suechooks]

Could the smelly matted "wingpits" be some sort of fungal infection? Sort of athletes foot type of thing?

[Scarlet]

'Wingpits'!! Never heard of that one before! Love it

[Cheshuntchick]

Thanks to everyone for their comments.Really glad I joined.I did speak to the seller two days after getting the girls and she said to take Dolly back and she would "deal" with her,not on your life!Anyway she is much better than she was originally and I haven't the room to separate her.I think I will just give her pits a nice wash and dry as I don't want to stress her out too much although she is very good to handle.Do you think I should be giving her the breakfast meal in the afternoon as well or would this be too much?Should get the Respite tomorrow so perhaps this will help her even more.They are kept in a covered run 15' x 6' on slabs with a layer of Easibed,with a large dustbath and bowls of grit and oyster shell (only one is laying at the moment)
As you can probably guess,I love my chooks.I chat about them so much I think my husband is losing the will to live! Will try and post some photos tomorrow,not very clever at that,I'm a silver surfer.

[Cheshuntchick]

Forgot to ask,should I cut any of the matted feathers off?

[RichmondHens]

I would actually try and get her to eat more pellets and feed her less treat type food. You could make them into a mash and mix in some Poultry Spice, this way you can be sure she is getting all the correct vitamins and minerals.

Re the feathers I would see what difference the bath makes before you do anything else. What exactly are the feathers matted with? If the bird is feeling ill then my guess is she is not preening as she should which is why the feathers are getting matted in the first place.

[Cheshuntchick]

I try and not give any treats except greens in the afternoon and a little corn before bedtime.I give her a breakfast of scrambled egg,porridge oats,grated apple and garlic just to make sure that she eats something.I've tried all ways to get her to take her proper food with no luck.She is quite bright and perky.
As for the feathers they are solid with some sort of muck,god knows what.It looks like it's been there some considerable time.Will post a photo tomorrow.
Thanks very much for your help.

[polo]

Good luck with Dolly!
Word of warning though, respite is good but very stinky. Dont get it on your hands or you will smell of garlic for days....