quinlan Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 I noticed yesterday that one of my girls has a bit of a bald tummy. Looking around there are a few more feathers in the run. The others all seem ok. We have been getting 3 eggs most days foe a few weeks now (from 4 girls) some days still 4 though. Could she be moulting?? I thought it would be the wrong time of year. Could she have lice or something on her? (I can't see anything but know some of them are tiny!) But then surely the others would be the same? Any advice welcome!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 Do you have a bit of secret feather pecking going on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 She could be moulting, they don't necessarily stick to the supposed times of year! It could be feather-pecking, but if there are lots of feathers in the run, she may be moulting. Have her comb and wattles gone a bit paler, that can also happen during a moult? As you say, if it was lice or mites you'd expect them all to be affected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 It could also be due to the heat. They will lose breast feathers if they get hot. It's what happens when they go broody, heat up and lose feathers. I'd treat for lice/mites and give some poultry spice or other kind of tonic to build them up and keep an eye out for pecking. Pecking does tend to be more round the vent area rather than right underneath, and her skin will look quite red and sore after a while. Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milly Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 Is she broody? Our Miss Pepperpot lost all her feathers underneath when she went broody (twice!). But is wasn't obvious unless you picked her up. She didn't moult last winter though, when the others were moulting, so maybe the tummy moult counted as her moult. Milly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted June 21, 2009 Author Share Posted June 21, 2009 Her skin doesn't look red at all... Hope its not pecking, they all seem to get on well. If she was broody am I right in thinking she would be sitting in the nest box alot? She is always out and about. And her face furniture is still red.. Hmmmmm, I wonder. Thanks for your replies, am hoping it is simply the heat! She is the largest girl so in a way that would make sense! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 We have the same thing, and was about to come on here to ask the same question... Am convinced she (Fred) is not being picked on as the feather loss is right underneath her, and never seen Ginger go for her at all (unless there is a worm involved). Have searched both for any sign of lice etc and couldn't see anything; have also cleaned Eglu really thoroughly at the weekend as precaution. Again Fred is a Pepperpot, and she had a go at being broody a week ago (she was a bit half hearted about it, and a few dunks in cold water sorted her out fortunately). She is also always the first to sunbathe (doing her Dead Chicken impersonation). So sounds as though she has lost these feathers just because hot / broody. Will keep an eye on her in the meantime... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Another one with the same issue but it's my speckeldy. Again she's a big girl and I noticed it yesterday when she was dustbathing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitfluff Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Interesting as I was going to ask the same question too! I'm not sure it's pecking with mine either as the feather loss is all along her tummy and you'd think there would be easier areas to peck at. And it's only 1 of my girls it's happened to so maybe not lice, though that said having a wooden coop it is a concern it could be down to some nasty little beastie. Interesting it might be down the the heat though. I think I'll just assume it's all of the above and/or a moult and treat for everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 It could also be due to the heat. They will lose breast feathers if they get hot. It's what happens when they go broody, heat up and lose feathers. I'd treat for lice/mites and give some poultry spice or other kind of tonic to build them up and keep an eye out for pecking. Pecking does tend to be more round the vent area rather than right underneath, and her skin will look quite red and sore after a while. Hope this helps! That's interesting. I didn't know that. A couple of mine have loose feathers on their tummies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum2boys Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 It could also be due to the heat. They will lose breast feathers if they get hot. It's what happens when they go broody, heat up and lose feathers. I'd treat for lice/mites and give some poultry spice or other kind of tonic to build them up and keep an eye out for pecking. Pecking does tend to be more round the vent area rather than right underneath, and her skin will look quite red and sore after a while. Hope this helps! my three have had bare tummies for a while - some of the skin is red and irritated. We haven't seen any pecking going on and interestingly it is on all three girls. We have sprayed them (and house/run) for red mites and have treated for lice/mites... but the feathers don't seem to be coming back... is it more likely that it is the heat affecting them than anything else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
