Suzy Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Hi, Has anyone else found that some ex-batts take ages to grow back their feathers? One of mine is now fully fledged after going through a moult shortly after arriving and is coming on leaps and bounds, but the other two have now got lots of white fluffy underfeathers (so don't think they are cold) but have a lot of sticks with no feather bits on them and look cream rather than golden brown. I looked back at the pictures of when I got them and not a huge difference to be honest! They have tuna every so often but upsets someones tummy so it's a bit sporadic but they get all their poultry spice, pellets, verm-x etc and they were wormed about a month ago. Other than the feathers, they seem fine. If it's nothing to worry about then great, but as usual, am asking for second opnions!!! Thanks Suzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daj198 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I think my first ones took about four to six months before they were fully feathered. Perhaps that was because they were each laying everyday so didn't have much energy spare for feathers. I've got the impression that most grow their feathers back much faster, anyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Nine months on and my top-chook Daisy still has no tummy feathers My two most bald are now fully-feathered and the other three are still moulting and moth-eaten, and yet other people have had fully-feathered hens after eight weeks. Obviously they take their own good time and if they're happy and healthy otherwise, I wouldn't worry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livvyshens Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I am consoled by this thread because one of my three five months on still has a bare breast. It looks awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 hi try a small amount of cat food it protein helps to feather up but only small amount all my birds get boiled veg also helps them on there way to good helth marmite on toast in morning small amounts mashed bannana nice buiscuits crused mixed i keep all my ex batts one month before rehoming soon see diference in that time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 One of my 5 took a year, then in the space of 2 weeks she grew them all back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I have 3 fully feathered, fluffy girls and poor little Edwina has a few new trouser feathers and a few sprouting around her tail end but they are the only new feathers she has!! She still has grown nothing on her underneath but has a light covering of feathers everywhere else. They all seem to grow back as different rates, maybe try a little bit of poultry spice in with their food as this helps them when growing new feathers - i also agree with the cat food. Mine LOVE it and it is full of protein so very good for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Tuna in Spring water and poultry spice helped mine too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzy Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Will try Marmite tomorrow and answer the question of will they love it or hate it!!!! Thanks for the advice all. Much appreciated and reassured that it sounds quite normal to still be a bit featherlite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 9 months & one is ONLY just fully feathered whilst 1 was way way way back last summer ish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonie Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 about 7 or 8 months for my girls, they look gorgeous now though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaggieMcHen Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 I had a badly feather pulled non battery hen. She looked like the pictures I have seen of battery birds, it was most distressing. Once the culprit was fitted with an 'anti peck bit' Amber began to feather up but she still, after 7.5 months, has a bare crop area. I am hoping with the summer coming in she will finish her feathering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 My girls took about 5 months before they fully feathered. Threads about them **here when newly arrived** and **here a few months later** They are now all completely ginger and virtually indistinguishable from the other ginger hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
