4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[DW]

My Omlet girls are now about 21 months old and have never had a proper moult. Over the last few weeks, both have laid fewer eggs and also produced a number of softies.

 

Both have now lost quite a few feathers from their breasts - and have completely bald breastbones (which are slightly pink and dry, but with no broken skin) and tummies - though all other feathers (including thier fluffy knickers) are intact. In fact, from a distance, they look as if they're fully feathered...

 

I've given them both a thorough check over for mites and lice, but found no trace. As a preventative, I've also given them a good dusting of DE powder.

 

Both are eating normally and are their usual selves, so I've concluded that they're probably just moulting....

 

...though I think I read somewhere that moulting chickens lose thier neck feathers first???

 

Any advice/reassurance greatfully received!

 

D.

[moochoo]

It sounds like they've rubbed them off on the roosting bars. A couple of mine have done this in the past. They'll grow back and I'm not convinced it's linked to the egg problem.

I'm sure someone else will be along with more of an idea.

[LesleyH]

mine moult in different places...some have lost chest feathers as described and looked 'oven ready' - others have lost neck feathers. Joy has started moulting now at the back of her head - she looks ridiculous. Don't worry - it sounds like they are due for a good moult. At this time of year its not too bad - almost logical - it was when lily moulted in the winter when snow was on the ground that it worried me - if I was a better knitter I would have made her a jumper. she was even fine then though

[Seagazer]

I'm glad you posted as my girls appear to be moulting. I've checked them over for horrible little insects but have found nothing. My has lost quite a few feathers from her neck but there seems an awful lot of feathers yet my two Gingernuts don't look too bad.

 

My has also decided to go broody just to add to their woes. I'm giving them citricidal and poultry spice added to their food just to buck them up a bit. Do I remember reading that tuna is good for them?

[craftyhunnypie]

They have probably plucked them out ready for sitting on some eggs. I'm afraid it's the broody instincts, apparently warms the eggs better if closer to the skin.

 

Emma.x

[DW]

Over the last day or so, Nutmeg seems to have started shedding feathers all over the place...

 

...so I'm hoping that she's finally decided to have a proper moult.

 

Bramble still has her bare breastbone, but doesn't seem to be getting any balder. Perhaps the diagnosis for her is early stages of broodiness?? If so, when should I expect her to start taking an interest in the nestbox? Or should I give her a dip in a cold bath to see if I can prevent her going fully broody?

 

So many questions!

 

D.

[brambles]

Checking breast bone.

 

Nope, it's all ok, I am wearing clothes.

 

Phew.

 

[Sarahsausage]

My Rita is such a scruff bag I can't tell if she's moulting! Betty definitely is though, it seems to be mostly at the top of her wings and I have found quite a few wing feathers in the run too. I did notice she had a bare pink tummy but not sure if this is a carry-over from when she was a battery hen?