Why do chickens have feathers and what to do, baldness treatment and prevention
Many novice poultry farmers are interested in the urgent question: why do chickens go bald? The appearance of alopecia is accompanied by the fact that the feathers of birds become more rare and dull. Fluff loss is also observed. The cause of the problems is malnutrition, violation of the conditions for keeping birds, and parasite infestation. To cope with hair loss, you need to provide your chickens with proper care.
The main causes of hair loss in chickens
To find a treatment for chickens, you need to determine the cause of hair loss in a rooster or laying hen. If you do not immediately help, the birds will simply die. The main provoking factors for the development of alopecia are the following:
- Eating disorders and vitamin deficiencies. It is important to make adjustments to the diet of chickens. The loss of feathers is often caused by a deficiency of certain trace elements. It is also worth considering the compatibility of feeds that are used to feed birds.
- Insufficient amount of feed. Farmers often neglect additional complementary foods. This is very important for the period of natural molting. At this time, chickens require more food and vitamins.
- Lack of vitamin D. In the warm season, chickens should spend at least 12 hours outside. This affects their productivity. In winter, birds require additional lighting. For this, you can use a conventional or ultraviolet lamp. It should have a red tint.
- Infection with parasites. The cause of problems is often the attack of the eaters. These insects resemble lice or fleas. They feed on the feathers and skin of chickens and primarily affect the neck, head and back. When damaged areas appear, the risk of developing infections increases. To avoid such problems, a trough of ash and sand should be installed in the house.
- Wrong conditions. To avoid problems, it is recommended to systematically clean the chicken coop, comply with sanitary standards, often ventilate the room and replace the litter.
Symptoms
At first, chickens go bald in the tail area. Then feathers on the back and head fall out. Laying hens also lose feathers on their necks. The wings are the last to suffer. With the development of alopecia, feathers lose their elasticity and become dull. Also birds can lose their fluff. Sometimes the problem takes on such proportions that the birds remain almost naked. Sometimes the process is accompanied by skin lesions. In this case, bruises appear around the damaged areas.
If you immediately identify the problem and get rid of it, the internal organs do not suffer. If the provoking factor is not eliminated, there is a risk of developing a vitamin deficiency and infection. There is also a threat of disruption to the work of internal organs.
Vitamin deficiency due to illness will lead to a decrease in productivity or a complete cessation of oviposition.
How not to confuse alopecia with natural shedding?
In the fall, birds experience seasonal feather loss. Molting is considered a physiological process that is aimed at a gradual change in plumage. It differs from baldness in the uniform loss of feathers.
This process affects both the head and tail. The old plumage is replaced by a new one - more durable and shiny. At the same time, the health of the chickens remains normal. They maintain a good appetite and full activity.
Moulting can begin in birds even after the end of laying. This process is also considered natural. In other situations, molting begins in autumn and lasts 2-3 months. Egg breeds shed faster than meat breeds.
Danger of disease
Alopecia in chickens is often accompanied by a violation of their well-being. It affects the general condition of birds. They look painful. In addition to hair loss, there is a risk of slowing bird growth and a significant decrease in egg production parameters.
What if chickens go bald?
If symptoms of alopecia appear, you need to take immediate action. To cure chickens, the causes of the problems must be established.
Diet
One of the main reasons for feather loss is an unbalanced diet, which causes a deficiency of vitamins and minerals. To cope with the problem, chickens need to be given a lot of trace elements. At the same time, it is allowed to use ready-made compositions that contain many valuable components. If chickens eat homemade food, they should buy vitamin supplements. Sometimes too much vitamins and minerals can cause problems. In such a situation, it is worth increasing the amount of protein components and cutting back on fats.
Vitamin Supplements
When self-preparing mixtures and mash for chickens, you should definitely add vitamins and minerals to them. You can buy them at a special veterinary pharmacy. With alopecia, it is recommended to add the following components to the feed of each chicken:
- 7 milligrams of manganese sulfate;
- 3 milligrams of sulfur;
- 1 milligram salt
- 4 milligrams of potassium iodide.
If the feather loss is neglected and the chickens become very bald, it is recommended to use vitamin B12.
Conditions of detention
Chickens can go bald due to improper maintenance. The development of alopecia is associated with a lack of vitamin D, which birds receive during walks. Layers that are raised in cages are especially prone to the problem.
Birds need to be walked every day. In cold weather, UV lamps should be installed in chicken coops. They need to be turned on for at least 6-7 hours a day. An ordinary lamp should burn for 10-12 hours.
Fresh air access is also important. For this, it is recommended to install windows or arrange ventilation openings. This will help prevent bad smells. In the chicken coop, you should put a container filled with ash and sand. This will allow the birds to clear the plumage of insects that often cause hair loss.
How to treat alopecia
Medicines and homemade recipes can be used to cope with bird baldness.
Drug therapy
Alopecia areata in chickens can be treated with the following drugs:
- Desi spray - this drug helps to heal ulcers in the affected area;
- Gamavit - is an immunomodulator, which is indicated for weakened chickens;
- Ganasupersvit is a vitamin complex;
- Chiktonik - are vitamins that contribute to the saturation of the body.
Traditional methods
In addition to medicines, folk recipes can be used. In this case, the chickens should be put in their food the crushed feathers that have fallen out. They contain a lot of cysteine, which ensures the growth of plumage. Horns and hooves of livestock will also help replenish the supply of nutrients. It is recommended to use them in crushed form.
How to avoid problems in the future?
To avoid the appearance of problems, you need to follow the rules of prevention:
- feed the birds correctly;
- keep the house clean;
- provide chickens with walks on the street;
- use ultraviolet lamps;
- provide chickens with access to water;
- give the birds calcium - it can be obtained from chalk and gypsum.
Alopecia areata can be associated with a variety of factors. To cure chickens, first of all, you need to establish the cause of the loss of feathers. After that, it is recommended to change the conditions for keeping birds and adjust their diet.
