Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[jos]

I have had my ex-batts since May and all but one - little Twix - have feathered up really well. Twix still has no feathers down her throat,over her crop, and under her belly. Her wings are also somewhat threadbare.

The forecast is for some very cold weather to come. I have tried putting on a little coat for her (made from some thermal long johns!) with holes cut out for her wings but, although she didn't object too much, she didn't look very comfortable and wasn't able to preen what feathers she does have!

Should I be worried? Or are chickens, even bald ones, tougher than we think?

[Egluntyne]

They are tougher than we think!

 

Why not give her a little extra protein in her diet.....it might give her a boost and help her feather up.

 

Organic cat food, dolphin friendly tuna - rinsed, chick crumbs, scrambled egg....all good sources.

[jos]

Thanks, Egluntine.

[dancing cloud]

I got my little monsters in May as well and, whilst 3 are now fully feathered, like your Twix 3 of them are still short on tummy feathers and knickers Dandelion also still has a naked neck at the front.

 

They regularly get cat fod and tuna (much to Tubby Puddy's disgust ) and the feathers are definitely getting there, just not there yet. Maybe the chilly weather will remind them to get growing

[LJ's Chooks]

Hi - we had 2 chooks that were in with a cockrell until april and they had no feathers on their back half at all or legs. they have been bald ever since, but in the last week or so they have started moulting... not that there are many feathers to moult, and new feathers are growing on their back.

 

I dont think your chooks will come to any harm, they just need to moult to kick start feather re-growth. Ours were a little sunburnt, but that was all.

[GKH]

i was worrying about exactly the same thing 2 of my girls are fine but little Kate is still very bald she only really has feathers on her neck and a few her and there

also when they are tucked up at night the other 2 girls are cuddled up together and Katie is by herself - it breaks my heart

[jos]

I know just how you feel, GKH, little Twix is usually on her at night. Even more so now because the others have started to peck at her bald bits and made one or two places bleed. So to prevent any more pecking I've sprayed her with ukadex and so now she smells awful and is even more on her own .

Poor little mite, for two pins I'd bring her in and let her sleep in comfort by the fire!

[sandyhas3chucks]

I have exactly the same problem, got my 3 in May too. Little Moe still bald patches. are your baldies red & look sore too? I am putting it down to sleeping iun nest boxes as can't see any sogn of Mite and they all go to bed happily. My Moe has been sleeping apart but has a rescue non bat for company, funny though the rescue got into bed with my Meany & that was fine but if poor Moe tries tshe gets a right pecking at. I havre decoided to not try full integration until the bald bits are no more! then I have bumper bits at the reay.

[Lizzie]

Its so reassuring to know that it isn't only our ex-batts who haven't got all their feathers yet.

 

Reading the other messages on this subject, I was interested to read that you can give them tuna - is this really ok as I didnd't think you could give them meat of any kind.

 

Many thanks

[sandyhas3chucks]

apparentlty so, cat food too. If in brine you have to wash it, but I buy the one in oil, in the hope that this helps them too. They eat worms ,slugs, snails, frogs mice. mine like the dogs tripe too if they can get it. i am tad concernrd about "over treating" & the problems that can cause. Seems an awkward balance of feed em up to get bigger & grow feathers & not over do it. some one will put us straight i bet/hope

[Lizzie]

yes I know, I have had mine since July and they are still under weight. I was giving them two treats a day to try and get some weight on them before the cold months came but it seems to upset their tummies so have cut down again. Just don't know what to do for the best. We give them Poultry spice, tonic and have wormed them - they do free range as much as possible and so enjoy garden worms and such, but I wish I could get them to fill out.

[sandyhas3chucks]

chick crumb??????? dried mealworms don't seem to upset mine. live do!!! well too many !!!! grated cheese bokashi bran a little to try keep the pooh's firm! but want to really stuff em full of good stuff & that doesn't work