hen has bald chest

[tonyg]

one of my hens became broody a few months ago ,so she plucked her breast feathers ,but now its getting worse ,she as not been broady ,so im a bit worried ,advise would be so grateful ,her whole front is going bald .

[Nicos]

Have you had a really close look to see if she has lice or mites?

[tonyg]

my hens have not gone into thier coop tonight ,is that a sign red mite ,should i put them to bed or can they stay ,where they like ,advice needed asap thank you

[Scarlet]

If they're not going in the coop you probably have a coop with a mite problem. If they haven't gone in tonight, where are they sleeping? If the area outside isn't fox proof, I would get them in regardless and sort out the mites first thing in the morning. You can't do much in the dark.

[tonyg]

thank you ,their out side area is fox proof ,can you tell me the best product to use ,thanks again scarlet

[Scarlet]

I use a red mite powder to powder the birds. The mites generally hide in all the cracks and joins of the wood in the coop. Give it a good clean out you can use mite powders and sprays but for me the best way to keep them at bay is too give all the joins and cracks a lick of creosote/ or creocote is the new make (?) works a treat. But the coop must be dry and the fumes gone before you can put them back in.