PluckedChicken Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 I've read the chciken health section and in my very novice chicken keeper opinion it doesn't seem like any of the things mentioned. We have 8 hybrids and they've all gone through a bit of a threadbare phase but while the others are getting fluffy and fully feathered again, one seems to be getting worse. Just this week her legs have been plucked almost bald, her chest and backside are bald. Completely bald. The poor thing looks awful. I've wormed them, spayed them all with the stinky pine tar stuff and tried to keep them entertained( ) to stop the boredom but she still seems to be getting plucked. I don't think its just the other chickens as they'd have to pin her down to get to the underneath, and I can't imagine her neck is bendy enough to get to all the areas.... What else could it be? Is she going to be bald forever? Its getting chilly in the evening now and she'll freeze to death at this rate. Thanks in advance for any idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Have you checked all your girls for mites/lice etc as, if there are any, they may be irritating this girl more than the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Have you checked her for lice and mites etc? .....Although if she has them then they probably all would. I'd be inclined to treat her with some Xeno 200 *not licensed for use on poultry in UK to be on be safe side. What are you feeding them on? Too many treats will crowd out the optimum nutrition provided by good quality layers pellets and so she could be missing out on adequate protein. Are the others preventing her from feeding? Have you observed the others pecking at her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PluckedChicken Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 Thnaks for the replies. I have checked them all for mites etc, and there wasn't any sign. I also watched them and one in particular does peck more than the others so on advice from the farm I sprayed them all with pine tar except the pecker in teh hope that she would "learn a lesson by being pecked". I'm not sure if it worked but all the others do seem to be getting their feathers back...just this one who is losing more. They have layer pellets in the run and whatever else they find in the garden when free ranging. The only treats they get are corn and veg scarpes and an occasinional a bit of bread to get them all back in the run in evening. Could she be doing it herself so such an extreme level? and if she is, how do I stop it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Maybe she has an allergy. Not impossible. What bedding material do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PluckedChicken Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 Just straw.... If she does have an allergy I think I'll go abit mad. We had to pay out £400+ on vet bills for our dog who had anxiety problems over the dish washer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Is she sore as l was told about metanium used on babys. l have been using it.Over a few days any soreness will go.ITS NOT LICENSED FOR CHICKENS THO.You can buy it from boots or morrisons it cost around £2.98.Its brilliant mi chicken could not even sit she was so sore l have noticed you have to keep some about but im sure if she could speek she would tell me shes feeling better.Her skin was so sore it was hot and KFC would have liked her in there bargin buckets. tara and lots of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Is she sore as l was told about metanium used on babys. l have been using it.Over a few days any soreness will go.ITS NOT LICENSED FOR CHICKENS THO.You can buy it from boots or morrisons it cost around £2.98.Its brilliant mi chicken could not even sit she was so sore l have noticed you have to keep some about but im sure if she could speek she would tell me shes feeling better.Her skin was so sore it was hot and KFC would have liked her in there bargin buckets.that was me, I used it on me(won't go to any details here but was amazed myself. gone by morning! I found "things" in the straw I was using too. got rid of that and that helped too. (until I hert her myself poor love) (don't want to try to put it on till her body is less sore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Ah bless her l really hope things pick up l hate seeing them hurting.I she sore all over now. lots of chooks and ducks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Maybe she needs a protein boost to regrow some new feathers. Try supplementing her diet with some tinned tuna in spring water, rinsed or organic cat food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Straw can contain parasites. Maybe she is particularly susceptible. Why not try something different for a week or two to see of it makes a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Maybe she needs a protein boost to regrow some new feathers. Try supplementing her diet with some tinned tuna in spring water, rinsed or organic cat food. not with sunflower oil? thought that would help them too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PluckedChicken Posted September 22, 2008 Author Share Posted September 22, 2008 What can I use instead of straw? Also how can I supplement her diet without the others? We have a big garden so some of them are still very skitty and never come near me/us so to try and make sure its just her who gets the goodies will be difficult. How long do feathers take to grow back? We live right by the sea and there has been a noticable temp drop over the weekend in the mornings so I'm worried she'll suffer.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 add the supplements to a warm mash, you could take her out to make sure she gets 1st go at it. I switched straight to shredded paper, bit messy , gets a bit soggy, but was available immediately. mix with easy bed now, though going top try hemcore next as might be mire comfy. Expect I am being silly though on the comfort bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 I use Aubiose for mine and swear by it, but someone recently thought their hen was allergic to it. Can't remember who now, sorry, or I'd post a link to the thread. Why not try the shredded paper, although it will need changing daily as it gets a bit manky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggypeggy Posted September 22, 2008 Share Posted September 22, 2008 Sounds like a bad moult, my poultry farm guy recomends Growers mash/pellets for moulting birds, helps them to bulk up and shove a bit of poultry spice in there too. They love that. How long has she been like that for .. Moults can take a few weeks and then a few weeks for it all to grow back.. Has she stopped laying ? It looked like a massacre in my chook area when Eggy started moulting. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
