Groovychook Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Phyllis is going through a big moult at the moment. She's losing her feathers at a rapid rate and hardly has any left at all on her chest. I noticed this afternoon that she had one dangling feather on her chest with blood on it I picked her up and OH had a look and couldn't see any signs of a wound- just blood on the shaft of the feather. We bathed it and sprayed her with gentian violet. When I was watching her, she seemed bothered by her chest and seemed to be trying to pull the loose feathers out. Do you think she might have pecked herself whilst doing this? There's been no signs of bullying and she's definitely not bottom of the pecking order, but having just lost another girl, I'm concerned that the group dynamics might have changed. I wondered if anyone else's girls have drawn blood whilst plucking out their own moulting feathers?! Hoping that it's nothing to worry about... just a bit paranoid about missing anything at the moment... never dealt with moulting girls before!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Arent new feather shafts 'full' of blood when they emerge? perhaps a new one has been caught somehow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted December 9, 2009 Share Posted December 9, 2009 Was it an old feather falling out or a new one coming through? If it's an old one falling out, then it's not beyond the realms of possibility that she's made herself bleed trying to remove it. If it's a new one, they are blood filled as they come through, which makes them a tastey treat! The main problem is that if they discover this, you'll end up with major feather pecking, so it needs nipping in the bud. I think I might be tempted to separate her briefly from the others, still within sight and sound if you can. Keep up the purple spray to disguise any blood, and then keep everything crossed. Yes, group dymanics certainly can change with the loss or addition from / to the flock but it doesn't sound as though her position has altered. note: cross posted with Redwing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted December 10, 2009 Author Share Posted December 10, 2009 Was it an old feather falling out or a new one coming through? I'm not entirely sure as there was one old one hanging on by a thread and a few new ones coming through! Hopefully, the purple spray will help to distract her and any of the others. I'll try to keep a close eye on her... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted December 10, 2009 Author Share Posted December 10, 2009 No signs of bleeding today! ... just one very grumpy, purple chook... poor little Phyllis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Aww, bless her. My girls are always grumpy when they are moulting, mainly I suspect, because the go down in the peckign order and get bullied when they moult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted December 12, 2009 Author Share Posted December 12, 2009 Well, yesterday, I noticed a few new feathers coming though with blood on the shafts. I think she is pecking at them herself because she's so feisty at the moment... don't think any of the other girls would get near her! I sprayed her chest with anti peck spray, hoping that it will taste nasty enough to put her off. I've seen her shivering though, so she must be feeling the cold I've read on the forum that others think that moulting girls can cope with cold temperatures but do they normally shiver?! I know she'll be warm enough in the cube at night but should I be bringing her in during the day? She hates being handled at the moment- must be painfull with all the spiky feather shafts, so Id rather leave her be if possible. Sorry for stressing but any suggestions?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 It sounds like you are doing the right things. The new feathers are very tender for them. In the day I would make sure the run is sheltered so put up a windbreak or cover with tarpaulins. Its been pretty nippy last day or so. The moult has hit my pigeon hard as well and she has been ultra grumpy. Not sure about shivering but I would give her extra rations and a tonic if you don't already. So a porridge made with mash and warm water with tonic added and perhaps some extra protien like tuna. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 My two late moulters looked a bit miserable for about 4 days, but they both have a lovely new crop of shiny feathers pushing through now. I got an egg yesterday from one of the first moulters! I'd never normallly expect anyone to start laying again until the new year, beign pure breeds, they usually take the winter off, but I couldn't have been more surprised Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 Ooh! An early Christmas present! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Ooh! An early Christmas present! That's what I thought! Last year I had 4 newbies and they were slow to come into lay because of the dark days, so I wasn't expecting any eggs from them before spring, but I got one for my birthday on new year's day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
