Jenstuds Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Have had our three ex-batts for three weeks now. Noticed a few days ago that one of them had lost some feathers on his head (a patch about 1 inch wide) and a day later noticed that she'd lost some feathers on the underside of her neck too. I thought it might be bullying, though I've never seen any pecking, but now I'm not so sure. Today I noticed that the other two have also lost feathers from the undersides of their necks too. I know that chickens do moult in the autumn but could my ex-batts be doing this now? They have just left their warm battery farms to be outside so could this be a reason? Would appreciate the expertise of those who've kept ex-batts before. I've ordered some anti-peck spray (did this before I noticed the others had also lost feathers) but any other advice people can give would be much appreciated. Hate the fact that they sadly have less feathers now than they did when I got them Jenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 It could be the shock of the rescue, just make sure that they get enough protein to grow new feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenstuds Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 They are on layers mash, which they eat constantly (I'm sure they eat more than the books say they should as I have to fill the eglu grug in the mornings and top it up later and it's still empty by evening). Anything else I should be adding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Always good to hear from fellow ex-batt adopters You could try adding Poultry Spice to their mash, which seemed to work well with re-feathering my ex-batts. Knowledgeable folks on this forum recommended adding cat food or rinsed tuna and that worked really well with my lot too - and they loved it so much they mobbed my tubby Puddy off her dinner I wouldn't worry too much about amounts of food. It's the first time they haven't had to fight for it, so it will take them a while to get used to food just being available, and it's been so cold they'll have needed all the energy they can get. My little monsters' appetites have certainly increased since the temperature dropped! Mine are just going through their moult, but I have had them since May and have no experience of winter adoptees. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKH Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 i adopted my ex-batts in May one of my girls was completly bald apart from a few white feathers on her neck and legs. Thy have all grown back now except for her head which is still bald - i don't think they'll ever grow back. I gave my girls tuna and cat food i think that helped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Anything with high protein helps them grow new feathers. If anyone on my courses is talking about getting ex-batts, I always recommend to wait until the warmer weather if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Anything with high protein helps them grow new feathers. If anyone on my courses is talking about getting ex-batts, I always recommend to wait until the warmer weather if possible. what good advice, I'm glad mine came in May(for those who have forotten it was the Summer 3 weeks!) winter was a worry enough with patially featherd girls! I had one that fully feathered The other 2 were getting there when they started to moult (silly girls) one has only just started growing her knickers from release. the fully featherd girl now started to moult too!. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzy Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I've had my girls 3 months (bar two weeks) and I've had one go through a huge moult and I was convinced it was bullying (which in part it was becasue I think the others picked on her because she looked so rubbish) and she now is beautiful - fully feathered and very plump and happy. The other two got lots of under-feathers and fluffed up nicely - and I've noticed today that they've started looking a bit scraggy so think they may have decided that it's time to have a moult too. The quest for fully feathered ex-batts will have to take a bit longer I guess! I gave Ophelia tuna when she was moulting, and the cats developed a taste for it too so they all have tuna all the time now . I gave them poultry spice and cod liver oil as I heard that was good for moults too. Does the cat food idea mean they can have dried cat food, and does it have to be non chicken? That surely would be a bit wierd? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 i wouldn't have thought dried cat food would be very good for them, may damage their kidneys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I wouldn't give them the dried variety...but the tinned organic sort....and as you say, a non chicken flavoured one. Other sources of protein include scrambled egg(!) and chick crumbs or growers pellets, both of which contain more protein than layers pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 this stuff http://www.wheatcroftpoultry.co.uk/Products/Lifeguard/Life-Guard.aspx is brilliant for feathering up ex-batts. Worked a treat for my girlies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I use Lifeguard on my girls; it is more expensive than other tonics, but in my opinion it's the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenstuds Posted January 26, 2009 Author Share Posted January 26, 2009 Thanks everyone. Have been monitoring the situation and seems like it is bullying - the other hens haven't lost any more feathers but the one I'm worried about has lost quite a few from top of head, neck and on the back by the tail. I've got some anti-pecking spray now so let's hope that works. Jenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
