My eco solution to rat problems

[sparkysmum]

Hi folks, I know there is really good info on the forum about feather loss & moulting but I wondered if someone could point me in the right direction. My injured ex batt Penny has been losing feathers at an alarming rate over the last couple of days. We have seen her "plucking" but we don't know if she is moulting or plucking them out herself. If she is, we don't know why. We have bought in Poultry Spice and tonic drink just in case. Any advice appreciated, as always Thanks in advance Allison

[Poplars]

It could be bullying? Sometimes you don't see them doing it, our bullied chicken was pulling feathers out herself as well, the vet said that this was due to stress.

 

I hope that it is just moulting, good luck,

 

Eve

[sparkysmum]

Thanks Eve, but definately not bullying. Thankfully the pair seem to be really fond of each other. In fact when Penny was really immobile Boris our other ex batt stayed close by. However I,m wondering if it is stress related - her broken foot is still giving her grief

[oatley]

It could be feather mite? If so - our vet prescribes ivermectin which works very quickly.

 

Is there any other signs of mites?

[Egluntyne]

If it is "all of a sudden" it is most likely a moult, especially if she seems well in other ways.

 

Is she still laying?

[sparkysmum]

Hi Egluntine, Yes it was all of a sudden, overnight in fact. Today when she had a little shake her feathers flew everywhere. I think it is a moult - off to find more info. Thanks for returning to us . You are a pretty amazing bunch Allison & co.x