Single hen

[alison]

I have a pair of White Sussex, that I got together, rehomed from a lady who was not well. they were perfectly healthy and well kept, so no issues there!

 

They have both been plump and healthy, but one of them looks like an ex batt now, she has lost a lot of feathers and is skinny. There is no blood, some of the quills just look bald and broken She continues to lay well, a large 70 gm a day.

 

I have wormed her, and see no trace of worms from any of them. I don't think she has lice, surely if she had, all 7 would be affected?

 

They eat well, bokashi, mixed using the new ex batt feed, which they love, for her benefit, porridge with probiotic yoghurt, pasta, grapes etc.

 

I am starting to worry about it as she has been like it now for 4 weeks.

 

any ideas please?

[Christian]

Sounds like she is moulting? Are the new quills poking through? Feeding her extra protein can help, as does poultry spice in her food.

 

Have you seen the other one picking on her or pulling feathers?

[alison]

I have mixed in Poultry Spice, apple cider vinegar in the water, tuna a pasta in the afternoon.

 

No sign of bullying, they all get on well and roost together on a branch during the daytime.

 

I am at a loss, she looks so sad - not unhappy sad! I think she is about a year old, so is this just a first major moult ?

 

How long should it last?

[The Dogmother]

I have heard of a couple of off-season moulters lately, no doubt brought on by the odd weather we had. Sounds more like she's being picked on though, as Christian said.

 

Give her some poultry tonic and keep an eye out for bullying.

 

Just a thought... are the feathers only missing from some areas? I am wondering whether she is the cock's favourite (you said that you have a pair) and he's being a bit over-enthusiastic with his *ahem* marital duties

[alison]

No, when I said a pair, I meant two girls!

 

She's definitely not being picked on, - I am out there all day with them, so would see anything going on, never any chasing or pecking.

 

She won't let me catch to take a photo, she knows that last time I did, I turned her upside down to have a good look at her bits!

[Christian]

Try and grab her when she has gone to roost. It is slightly concerning that you said she has lost weight. Have you seen her eating and drinking? Maybe it is a crop problem and the stress is causing feather loss? It does sound like a moult, as that can really take it out of them.

[alison]

Well, I picked her up just now, she feels reasonably well covered, I think the lack of feathers make her look as if she has lost weight.

 

She is bald on her neck, bum, and tummy. I can see quills sticking out of her skin, but they are not feathered, if that makes sense. She doesn't feel soft and cuddly!

 

She is eating and drinking, just ate some corn, rolled in poultry spice!

 

Thank you for your concern.