Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[Abbey Road Girl]

Hello everyone,

 

I've had to deal with some serious family problems recently, so have only been able to dip into the forum a few times in recent months.

 

A few months ago three of my four Pepperpots had their feathers pecked (though I've seen not just one but two pecking) leaving glimpses of peek-a-boo oven ready near the tail feathers. Claire kindly sent me two bumper bits but when I couldn't get anyone to help me insert them I resorted to purple spray (previously, I'd sprayed with diluted tea tree oil which seemed to help but didn't totally eradicate the problem).

 

Since then, there hasn't seemed to be any more pecking--still a flash of bare bum now and then but no noticeably new damage.

 

What I do wonder is why no replacement feathers have appeared? I can see that some of the feathers have been pecked off partway, so a whole new feather would be unlikely to grow. On the other hand, there are definitely bare areas where I would have expected new feathers to have appeared.

 

I'm grateful not to have had to resort to the stinky stuff and still have the bumper bits at the ready. Am just puzzled by the feathers not regrowing. Sweetie, the only one to be in prime condition, is gorgeous. Her mates seem to be happy and healthy, just a bit tatty.

 

Has anyone else experienced this?

[moochoo]

One of my girls got the raw end of some pecking back in March. She's had a bald patch ever since. This week I've noticed she has a lovely new set of feathers coming through. It just takes time, some longer than others I'm afraid.

[Abbey Road Girl]

Thanks, Moochoo, I only got my hens in April so will be looking forward to seeing them refeathering soon.

 

Actually, today it seemed that Toffee (the most assertive and obnoxious!) had suffered more pecking. I applied more purple spray to blend the bare bits with her remaining feathers and thought I saw new feathers ready to sprout.

 

Am I right that new feathers look a bit like a zit getting ready to pop?

[moochoo]

Yes the skin gets rather lumpy just before the new quills start to come through so she should look great for spring!

[Abbey Road Girl]

Thanks, Sarah. I'm glad I can look forward to the three pecked hens looking as gorgeous as Sweetie, the untouchable!

 

I had a look at your gallery. Lovely pics and chicks! I'd been planning on adding a mezzanine to my Cube by using the original wooden nesting bars but I like your design better.

[moochoo]

Thanks, glad you like the pics. The mezzanine level has been the best addition to my run the girls love it. I just couldn't throw those wooden roosting bars out! It gives them a little more exercise having to jump up when they're confined to barracks.