HENthusiastic Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 HI. Henrietta Hen has started loosing her feathers. She has recently come out of a broody stint of about 6 weeks during which time she lost weight. All during her broody she was doing lots of dust bathing when I threw her off the nest. The dustbath has redmite powder in. Her feathers started falling out 3 days ago. There is a noticable amount in the hen house when I open it in the mornings. When I picked her up briefly the other day, as I let go and she flew/flapped off, a cloud of feathers went into the air. She has now lost all of her tail feathers . Could she just be loosing feathers because her weight is so low? (LIke a tree looses leaves to conserve energy? ) I have been trying to feed her up with mealworms. The others are showing no signs of anything and I have checked the house for mites (although not given her a full check as she hates being handled, only just managed to get hold of her the other day as she had escaped and I had to get her back into the right area. There are no bald patches. She is just looking scruffy. She was pol when I got her so I guess she's now about 11 months. Apart from that she seems happy healthy bright and alert. Any advice greatfully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 It will all be connected with the broody spell. A bit of extra protein will help her grow some new feathers Rinsed tuna or organic cat food will do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 Really Ive not read anything about broodiness and feather loss apart from chest feathers. I'll pop off and get her some organic cat food and tuna then. Glad to hear its not likely to be mites or something else horrible. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 The feather loss will be due to the lack of condition and poor diet during the broody spell. Sorry if I sounded a bit ambiguous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted August 27, 2008 Author Share Posted August 27, 2008 No ambiguity at all! Thanks for your advice. I'm off to get some catfood and tuna. She will be pleased with her tea tonight no doubt. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
