rachel m Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 my new light sussex clarissa (or possibly still to become clive!!) seems to be losing an awful lot of feathers over the past few weeks. she is about 17weeks old now, so probably still slightly younger than our omlet girls were when they arrived, and they only lost a few each. she was pretty well padded with feathers, so she is not getting any bald patches, but jut slimming down, but has lost a few largish wing feathers too she had a runny tummy a couple of weeks ago, which has improved after worming, and otherwise seems to be eating and drinking well is it normal/common for a pont of lay (or crow) chicken to have an early moult? thanks for your help rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Sorry I don't know much about moulting. Found this on omlet guide but don't know that it helps you at all. http://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guide.php?view=Chickens&cat=Chicken%20Health&sub=moulting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I don't know if it is normal but one of mine is doing something simular at 19 weeks. I can't figure out if her feathers are falling out or being pulled out by one of the others. It all seems very harmonious between them so I think they have fallen out but will keep a watchful eye for any bullying. Maybe a summer mini-moult! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel m Posted July 23, 2008 Author Share Posted July 23, 2008 i don't think the others are pulling them out as she is one of the top chicks. seems otherwise well have decided to make the most of the pretty, fluffy white feathers and try to make a fascinator for my hair for a wedding in a couple of weeks. who says chickens don't earn their keep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 Apparently they can moult a few times before POL I have recently got a light sussex and a speckledy at 14 wks old, they are now nearly 17 wks. I posted on here too and got helpful replies as there were feathers all over the eglu run within days of moving it around. It does seem to be settling a little now. I clipped there wings last night ahead of their first freerange and there are lots of little new feathers growing through. Just keep an eye on them, but don't worry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel m Posted July 24, 2008 Author Share Posted July 24, 2008 we clipped her wing and let her free range from about 14weeks, i hope that wasn't too early??? noticed some of the clipped wing feathers have come out too recently, so probably need to assess whether to re-clip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 That's not too early, mine were just very nervy and getting used to the 'big girls' parked nest to them so I waited until we broke up from school so I could supervise them, and in their new enclosed area too. Yes make sure you clip any flight feathers that have re-grown after a moult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzi Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 One of my Bluebelles is having her first moult.She is about 18 months old.Well I presume it is a moult,she has no feathers on a large circle on her back,her chest and around her vent.I have cleaned out the chicken coop today and found red mite so have soaked it in Poultry Shield.Last did this 6 weeks ago and feel so cross that I had let it slip. Anyway,the other 3 girls have been pecking her where her new growth is coming through and she is bleeding.I have separated her but she is now pecking herself Is there anything I can put on it to stop her and the others pecking the wound? Many thanks, Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 You can buy various anti peck sprays, either online or from a pet shop as sold for caged birds. A solution of tea tree oil and water often des the trick too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzi Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Thanks very much.Is this a normal thing to happen? Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
