Ex-Bat skin now bright pink

[GillC]

I don't know whether I should worry about this, or if it is just normal. I collected my three ex-bats 12 days ago. I already have 3 hens and have been keeping them apart, newbies in their own eglu and run, the others either free ranging or in their WIR so the newbies can free range a bit. One of the ex-bats is very bare, and I noticed today that her bare skin has become bright red. The exposed skin on one of the others seems to have gone the same way. Should I worry about this? It can't be sunburn - could it just be a reaction to the cold weather? Has anyone else noticed this?

Here are two pics. The first one on the day I collected them, and the other today of the same hen.

[Claret]

We've just had another thread along the same lines... try some Johnsons Tea Tree Cream.

[GillC]

We've just had another thread along the same lines... try some Johnsons Tea Tree Cream.

Thanks Clare,

I did browse through to see if I could find a thread where somebody had a similar problem - but obviously my searching skills leave something to be desired

It's reassuring to find that other ex-batts have the same symptoms. Maybe it's not all that unusual or serious. I'm starting to get feather envy tho' Cottontail (name chosen by daughter in anticipation of luxurious feather growth) is bare from the waist down! She makes other ex-batts seem positively feathery!

[Claret]

I wouldn't worry too much, they usually take a while to feather up, and as they are 'programmed' to lay lots of eggs - their reserves go into that instead of making feathers. Give them lots of protein and a good poultry tonic in their water and they ought to be fine.

[Redwing]

bare chook skin turns red at exposure to the sun (the sun is out there somewhere...) obviously being ex batts they wont have had the sun on their bare bits before

its normal and will just be red not sore

If it does start to look sore put some of the suggested excellent cream on it

[Sarahsausage]

Oh bless them! I've never seen such a bald ex-batt, aah poor girls. They'll look gorgeous when their feathers come through, I've had my two new ex-batts for 5 weeks now and they've already got quite a few new feathers so it won't be long before yours have too. Good luck and hope the redness fades xx

[dancing cloud]

Just caught up with this and the pink may be a good sign .

My three "little" girls adopted last March were stark naked and as white as a chicken on a supermarket shelf when they arrived They also had very pale grey/colourless eyes. Over the first couple of weeks, as they benefitted from fresh air, good food and lots of TLC, their bodies pinkened up and their eyes started to darken to an eventual deep amber. Over a few more weeks, they started to get quills and look like little henny-hedgehogs , and by eight weeks out they were pretty much covered, if still a bit moth-eaten. Unless she looks sore or uncomfortable, this may be a good sign that your girl's circulation is improving and she's well on her way to being a very happy hen

[GillC]

Thanks for all your encouraging words. Indeed, met up with DancingCloud last weekend and it was great to get advice from such an experienced ex-batt rescuer

Feathers are now peeking through, although they're starting on the neck and wings - poor Butterly's bottom looks like it will be the last to get covered However, she seems happy and is definitely top hen amongst the three ex-batts so I'll stick with it. They are such lovely characters, although perhaps their beauty is definitely on the inside rather than the outside. But I don't mind any more. They're my lovelies now

Just re-read up the thread and realised a possible name confusion. Finally settled on some names - Flora Margot and Utterly Butterly

[Egluntyne]

Brilliant names.

Good to hear that they are feathering up.

[sandyhas3chucks]

we have had some sun, but moor like wind burn this bloomin weather, keep them prorceted from the elements till they get toughened up. I thik our bedding and soil etc probably all irritate their poor wee bare patches, poor loves have had no contact with anything "normal" some take ages to re feather.
enjoy them

[GillC]

we have had some sun, but moor like wind burn this bloomin weather, keep them prorceted from the elements till they get toughened up. I thik our bedding and soil etc probably all irritate their poor wee bare patches, poor loves have had no contact with anything "normal" some take ages to re feather.
enjoy them

You could be right. The little dears were attempting to dust-bathe in a sunny period at the weekend. Great to see them dredging up some normal chicken behaviour from somewhere in their genes, but Oh what a mess. They became total muddie-buddies. Hope their skins get used to the soil soon

MUDBATHING


MUDDY GIRL

[Claret]

Awww, bless 'em.

[sandyhas3chucks]

it stil is the best thing to see. bless em

[dancing cloud]

Muddy but happy ! So good to see the real chooks emerge - it never gets old .

[MedusA]

What a cute pic of your muddy little bald girl.

I am full of amazement at how soon they revert to "normal" behaviour, when their previous experience has been so limited. Bless their little bald bums.