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

[Paddington Bear]

I have read all the information about feather loss but it does not fit Margo's condition. She lost the feathers on her breast around 6months ago. We think we had a mite problem as Henrietta was laying soft eggs but no feather loss, so did all the things for mites and all was well.

Margo is fine eating, drinking and laying like a trouper but still no feathers. We have tried the tonic and everything else you can use but nothing makes any difference.

 

The only thing I can think of is that she sleeps on the nesting box so is in more contact with the shredded paper than Henrietta - could it be she has a paper or ink allergy. Margo is a Pepperpot if that makes any difference.

 

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Welcome to the forum Paddington !

 

Sorry I can't help with this query except to say if you suspect the shredded paper is a problem, then try Hemcore or Aubiose (horse bedding available from equine/animal feed places) in the nest box for a while to see if things improve, that's what most of us use.

 

It could be that she lost/plucked the feathers and they will regrow when she has her first moult, which may not be for some time yet, depending how old she is.

 

Good luck,

 

Sha x

[Chicken Licken]

Barry has been looking threadbare all summer. She is now getting fed a sachet of tuna and mackerel catfood every other day to give her a wack of protein and the feathers are finally growing back slowly. She is such a small hen that anything to boost her up so the feathers grow back is worth a try and this seems to be doing the trick - slowly though

[Roxanne]

I have found protein helps with feather loss. One of my ex-batts had the same problem and by feeeding her protein 3 times a week she re-feathered quite quickly.

Try sardines for a cheaper alternative to tuna, or pure fish cat food and as a treat, I buy mealworms from Wiggly Wigglers which they all LOVE!

[Clur]

I had a raggedy chook too who slept in the nest box. I changed from hemcore to auboise to straw to sawdust to paper and it was always the same - I think it might just be down to the fact she slept there and maybe got hot? She was fine in every other way.