Single hen

[Tombull10]

Hi guys, another question for the forum!!

 

I've had my ex batts for just over 2 weeks. They suddenly seem to be shedding loads of feathers and look black in patches. On closer inspection this seems to be where new feathers are starting to grow. They still have bald patches that look pale, but their combs are starting to turn a lovely pinky red colour. All 3 have developed huge appetites (especially for their favourite treat of dried corn on the cob from pets at home!!) I just wanted to check that all this is normal. Their behaviour seems fine but they just look a bit odd with these dark patches!!

[Egluntyne]

The new feathers do look almost black when they are just emerging. They will be darker than the original feathers when fully out, but will fade a little over time, due to the effect of light.

[westleigh]

yes i have seen this also and it will be the new feathers coming through,so nothing to worry about

[Barkisland]

This happened to mine too - I assumed it was bruising from where they had been sorting out the pecking order. Is it not, then? I hope it is just the feathers, as I was quite upset to think they had been so badly hen pecked and was toying with the idea of bumper bits for all.

[Redwing]

I have two brown hens who are getting new feathers now, they are very dark too, almost like they are soaking wet so its interesting to know that they will fade

[Electricbarbarella]

I noticed this morning that mine are covered in black spikes, it must be the new feathers coming through. good to know, cant wait ti see them look all feathery.

[poachedegg]

Ours are like that where they are oven ready and getting quite downy/fluffy elsewhere - after only 2 weeks too!

[dancing cloud]

My little baldie ex-batt Joy was covered in the black spikes of new feathers after a couple of weeks of being with me - looked like a bad case of 5 o'clock shadow, or hen turning into hedgehog

[poachedegg]

looked like a bad case of 5 o'clock shadow, or hen turning into hedgehog

 

Excellent description!

[eggmayo]

Hi,

I've had my ex-batts 3.5 weeks now and after a couple of weeks they looked like yours, with almost a bruised look. They then went for a hedgehog look for a few days and now the brown feathers are starting to come through and the bald patches are disappearing. I read somewhere that extra protein helps them recover and speeds up the moult, so mine have been getting dried mealworms and tinned sardines, which they love and it seems to be doing the trick.