Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Flossie G]

Hello All,

 

A couple of weeks ago I noticed that one of my girls had a smallish bald patch below her vent. I thought that she might be moulting, but she's only about 8 months old - too young for this the Omlet guide tells me.

 

I looked around her vent and found some evidence of lice (again) so applied some Johnsons anti mite spray. Do you think that the problem has been caused by lice (making her pull her feathers out)? Or could it be something else, e.g. something really bad and incurable? She is as sprightly as ever and is laying OK.

 

 

Any cures for incessant worrying would also be gratefully received.

 

Thanks.

[Redwing]

yes I would say its probably linked to the lice as they like to congragate in the vent area and would be very irritating to the hen, if it doesnt improve then I would look for other causes but it seems straightforward

[Flossie G]

OK. I'll wait and see. Many thanks for the reassurance.

[Flossie G]

A couple of weeks ago I noticed that one of my girls had a smallish bald patch below her vent. I thought that she might be moulting, but she's only about 8 months old - too young for this the Omlet guide tells me.

 

I looked around her vent and found some evidence of lice (again) so applied some Johnsons anti mite spray. Do you think that the problem has been caused by lice (making her pull her feathers out)? Or could it be something else, e.g. something really bad and incurable? She is as sprightly as ever and is laying OK.

 

Since I posted the above, I've noticed that the bird with the bald patch (Bes) is now pulling feathers out from the legs of my other bird (Jo, who is about a year old and the dominant one - so I thought). In fact, Bes is really yanking them out. They have both been treated with anti-mite spray and I don't think the problem is lice.

 

I am really worried. Why is Bes doing this, do you think, and how can I stop her?

[The Dogmother]

Try an anti-peck spray, but you may need to resort to a bumper bit; sounds as if she's formed a habit after pulling out her own feathers.

[Flossie G]

Clare, I am inclined to agree with you. It's not an aggressive act, as such, but it's certainly a determined one.

 

Luckily there is a poultry supply store not far from where I live, and I'm getting some anti-peck spray this evening. I have a vague idea of what bumper bit is, and I'm sure I'll find more on the forum. Many thanks for your response.

[quickcluck]

You can get bumper bits from the Wernlas collections, so send them an SAE and some stamps to cover the cost of the bits!

 

They then arrive complete with instructions, but I do think it's a 2 man job

[Flossie G]

Cheers for that. A two man job, eh? Oh lord.

 

Well, I'm hoping it won't come to that. I have procured a potion, which the nice man up the road swears works on his chickens. Jo now smells as though we've used her to sweep our chimney. Ah, the good life.

[Egluntyne]

I have procured a potion, which the nice man up the road swears works on his chickens. Jo now smells as though we've used her to sweep our chimney. Ah, the good life.

 

 

Sounds fascinating. What is it?

[Flossie G]

It is called Ukadex. It's French and is described on the can as "bombe repulsive". Truly, it is.

[The Dogmother]

Yup, I know it... it's a tar derivative like Stockholm Tar.

 

 

Just don't get it on yourself or your clothing!!!!

[Egluntyne]

Yep....we know it well.

[Flossie G]

... it's a tar derivative like Stockholm Tar.

 

 

Just don't get it on yourself or your clothing!!!!

 

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