YickerAL Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Hi We are working our way through our first chicken summer at the moment and all seems well apart from the fact that we are getting a little worried about one of the girls. Lavender has started what we think to be a moult, but on reading several forum posts, this usually takes place in the autumn. Well I know the weather hasn't been great for a couple of weeks, but surely we are still in the summer. She has been on and off laying for a couple of weeks (but was mostly laying softies during this time), and now has stopped completely (a symptom of the moult so I am told). We worm them regularly, but she is the lowest in the pecking order and we are worried she isn't getting enough food (or worming medicine for that matter). We have decided to put another food bowl out so that she can get some grub down her She is looking quite ragged at the moment, with bare patches on her chest, every shake of her head leaves another trail of feathers. She does seem to have very "fluffy" feathers around her backside that aren't the same as the rest of the girls! I have also read that this could be because she has some kind of mite infestation. I can't see anything on her, and we sprinkle red mite powder on the eglu after every clean. She doesn't seem particlularly withdrawn and is still eating. None of the other girls appear to be suffering the same. Any advice of things we could check or to put our minds at rest would be appreciated. Sorry for the long post! Cheers Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 It does sound like a moult. I've got two that are moulting at the moment, they kinda forgot to do it last Autumn so are playing catch up. You've checked the most obvious culprits, worms and mites. Are any of her friends pecking her feathers, this can make her raggedy and withdrawn. On the whole as long as she is eating and drinking she should be fine. If she is moulting you should see some evidence of new feather quills forming. Give her the once over and see what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 I would say Lavender is moulting, my three still are, their run looks like they've been having a pillow fight most days! I wouldn't worry you're doing everything else right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 My 3 obviously don't realise that they are supposed to moult in Autumn as well then as the run is covered in feathers. Only my pepperpot looks the worse with quite a few feathers missing on her neck. I've also checked them all over and covered them with red mite powder and DE powder (and myself in the process). I've had to spray Butch with anti peck stuff though as the others are pecking at where the new feathers are coming through. It is quite worrying though and I still think perhaps something else is wrong but they are all eating and look fine apart from the feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YickerAL Posted July 22, 2009 Author Share Posted July 22, 2009 Hi folks Thanks for the replies. After giving her the once over, I can see spines of new feathers poking through so am happy that she is moulting and that there are no parasites Only problem is that the other two are now pecking the bare areas and we have seen a little bit of blood appear. I have ordered the "Purple spray" and anti peck spray from Omlet so hopefully that will be here soon! Can we use them both together? Or should we stick with teh purple spray until healed and move on to the anti peck spray later. What's the best way to clean the wound? She is skittish and difficult to catch at the best of times We are going to try and seperate her during the days for a few days during daylight hours but don't have a seperate place for her to sleep unfortunately. We hope that will help her wounds heal and the feathers to grow back She seems more and more withdrawn at the moment. I never thougth I would worry about chickens this much!! Cheers Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
