Tigerlily Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Hi everyone, I've been searching on here tonight as Mabel is possibly having a mini moult I've checked her (and Rosie and Betty) and can find no sign of lice or mites (also checked the Pink Palace). I DE the roosting bars and nesting box too... All the girls seem happy and healthy and have normal poos and are laying normally (up till today - the feather loss has only happened in the last 24 hours). The feather loss seems to be around her abdomen area and towards her vent. They are all around 9/10 months old now, so I can only imagine it's a mini moult I was wondering- how has everyone else gone on that also thought their 9 month old girls were moulting? Also (help please Egluntine - hope you read this ) how much cod liver oil do you give your chooks? I do have tuna in spring water in and tuna cat food (they mug poor Gnasher for it ) so I will make sure they get some extra protein (they have poultry spice in their pellet porridge as well). Any advice will be greatly appreciated thanks! BW x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I give them a very scientific and precise measurement known as a dollop. It will be about a desertspoonful to a full grub of pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 My Priscilla who is 9-10 months old has just gone through a mini-moult. She layed a couple of shelless eggs and then stopped laying for 2 weeks. Her top feathers stayed the same but she seemed to loose alot of her underwear I gave lots of chicken spice and extra limestone flour, because of the softies. Three days ago she layed a torpedo and now she is back to normal again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerlily Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share Posted September 24, 2008 I give them a very scientific and precise measurement known as a dollop. Thanks Egluntine - a dollop it will be from now on! Her top feathers stayed the same but she seemed to loose alot of her underwear Thanks Mostin - that is exactly how Mabel is: her fluffy knickers are turning into thongs! - although she is still laying normally at the moment Thanks and Best wishes x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Nice to see someone else doing 'scientific measurements' Dolly is currrently going commando, poor girl must have a draughty undercarriage Top feathers are fine, one tail feather left and no panties at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 What a lot of "Rudey Dudey" chickens we have, as my god-daughter loves to say when she is pantless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 My Daisy has been 'going commando' for a little while now. I sprayed both of them and powdered them both in case of nasties. Now she appears to have gone broody....Again!! So not sure if it`s a mini-moult or broodyness that's caused her to lose her knickers!! Trouble is, she is starting to look a bit sore on her bare patches, would a bit or Arnica cream help that do you think?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Make up a water spray wirth a couple of drops each of lavender and tea tree oils. Spray her botty with that - it will ease any soreness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Thanks, will try that. Hope she stops being broody soon too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerlily Posted September 27, 2008 Author Share Posted September 27, 2008 Hi everyone can I just ask - does moulting cause them to behave oddly Mabel is behaving very oddly at the moment! Her bumper bit had fallen off two weeks ago and I have been watching her v. closely, but no sign of pecking... On Thursday I came home to find she had pecked poor Betty again (same place) and made her bleed I've purple sprayed Betty (who is fine) and fitted a bumper bit back on Mabel... She just seems a bit jumpy, is crowing a fair bit and this morning just wouldn't get off the nestbox ( I had to lift her gently). Even Rosie and Betty kept going in to see her and giving her funny looks! She was sat on all 3 eggs! Could she be going a bit broody too? Does anyone else think there should be an A Level in chicken psychology? Maybe Omlet could start running an Open Henversity course? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 They do go a bit odd when they first start to moult; don't worry. Sounds like you need one of my advanced hen keeping courses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 My Pepper is usually the cuddliest chicken on the planet, but since she's been moulting she won't stay for cuddles. I hope she's over it soon. Poor Baldy Bird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Mine are all like that at the moment; it's like having a load of pre-menstrual minnies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirbyhouse Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 They do go a bit odd when they first start to moult; don't worry. Sounds like you need one of my advanced hen keeping courses I know I do! Popcorn is going through what I suppose is her 1st proper moult, she is about 2. I have been told to give her rinsed tuna - how much and how often? Is this going to turn her carniverous? She gives the cats a run for their money as it is! Good luck with yours Tigerlily Sal x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Chickens are naturally omniverous. They need extra protein when moulting, there are various ways of giving them this... Rinsed tuna Chick crumbs Live meal worms Any of the above or a combination is good. Organic fish cat food also meets with DEFRA regulations and provides them with lots of protein. Breeders who show their poultry swear by it for producing shiny feathers. I usually also add a poultry tonic to their water, Lifeguard is a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
