legend21 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Yesterday I noticed our head girl has lost quite a few feathers on one wing, some look like quils are broken but feathers missing, today when I let her our of the run the other side is starting to look the same. When OH come in tonight I will spray both sides with anti peck spray, anyone any ideas why she has started this, of all of the ex batts she was the most complete if you know what I mean, she hardly had any feathers missing. Is she deficient in something, she cant be bored they freerange all day until bedtime so by then you think she would be exhaused, she laid an egg as usual this morning and ate her porridge Advise me wise ones thanks Jakcie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Have you checked her over for any infestations such a lice? This sounds quite drastic plucking and unless she is broody (they sometimes pick out their own feathers to line the nest..but they are often the softer ones from the tummy) If you are sure she is self-plucking..this does sound like parasites, which are easily treated with powders etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 OH is finishing work early, I will have him hold her and I will look will let you know thanks Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I'd go with parasites too How did you get on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 She may be low on protien making all those new feathers and eating hers to top them up. Because she is free ranging so much she may not have enough basic pellets? Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 I checked them all and they dont seem to have any parasites, I put a little limeflour in their morning porridge as they freerange, they are all laying eggs and she gulped down the porridge this morning and did her usual growling at the smaller girls who were sharing a bowl. I gave her a dusting of DE last night, if I did not know better I would say she had been attacked as some of the feathers look broken off, but she is showing no adverse reactions to this. She was a bit sleepy yesterday but again I saw her laying and eating. The worry of keeping chickens Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I wonder if she got her wing caught up in something or got stuck somewhere temporarily and hurt herself. My Light Sussex once squeezed herself down the side of the aviary on the outside - luckily I saw her and got her out carefully. But she was beginning to panic. It could be something like that..... She sounds like a feisty one though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 could she be moulting? mine looked really manky when they were! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 I did think about moulting reading other peoples messages, i think I will start adding poultry spice to their food. thanks Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
