Fourbecameeight Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Hi One of my ex-batt chickens has a red front I noticed this in the week. It isn’t bleeding just looks sore, i have put purple spray on it. I wondered if the new feathers coming through feel funny because i think she is peaking or scratching it, I haven’t seen any of the others having a go. I was keeping an eye on her and just seeing how she was. My problem is I am going on holiday tomorrow for a week and the friend looking after the chickens doesn’t have any herself. I am worried because she will be checked on every day but they will be confined to the WIR so any feather pulling/ skin scratching will be worse. Any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I wonder if she is she getting a bit broody? If so she may be pulling the feathers out to line the nest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Is it red and sore or just red? Has she previously had feathers there? If it's just red I believe it's the blood coming to the surface and then she should start getting feathers through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fourbecameeight Posted June 7, 2009 Author Share Posted June 7, 2009 I have just checked up on this post after my holiday. Thank you for your comments. I assumed it was red and sore but it might not be sore. It is bright red not bloody but it could be blood coming to the surface, I hadn’t thought of that. It doesn’t bother her and she is eating and drinking well and generally chickening around. I have been putting sudocreme on it as I thought it would be as good as anything. The purple spray didn’t do anything. I did think about taking her to the vet but I don’t think he would come up with anything helpful. She is such a lovely chicken and doesn’t mind me looking or putting cream on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 Does she sit in the nesting box at night? My Mango did this and gradually lost her breast feathers. It's due to lack of air circulating around their breast bones overnight I understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen&Rog Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 One of mine has the same thing - her neck/front is bright red and bald (she must be pulling her feathers out at night), although it sometimes goes back to skin colour - pale/white. It's certainly not sore or bothering her, it just looks a bit unsightly! I think it must be some sort of protective reaction or temperature controlling thing due to the naked skin. Or maybe she flushes up with excitement when she sees me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fourbecameeight Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 Thank you for all the replies. I am leaning towards abwsco explanation because she came with no feathers in this area and this week there are lots of black stumps as the feathers start to grow. Another one that has a smaller bald patch at the front is also red so I am hoping for a fully feather flock soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Fingers crossed that her new feathers soon come through We've only two exbatts left now but still have one who looks scratty even after a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hens@HalfMoonLane Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 My new ex bats who have few feathers get red crops and bums. They seem to redden up and then go pale again so I've stopped worrying about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
