Raina Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Hi all, I think one of my girls might be moulting but i'm not sure! There were a couple of smallish fluffy feathers on our front garden yesterday and 1 big Sturdy feather (Wing?) in the run and today when i collected Lady Lays egg (Orakiah hasn't laid for a few days now) i found 7 feathers in the nesting box (2 big sturdy,4 Smallish Fluffy and one tiny feather) I'm panicking a bit as i've never seen these many feathers off the chickens before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Strictly speaking, it's not the right time of year, so check that the other hen isn't pulling them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 Will have to sit in the back garden and borrow my nephews camouflage netting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 Although Autumn is the usual time for hens to moult, they can do at any time depending on when they were hatched. Mine are different ages and all moult at different times. If you can't see any mites/lice and don't witness any feather pulling, then it probably is a moult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 I'm not sure how old they are, i think they were 14 & 16 weeks old when i got them in April 2009 I couldn't see any mites/lice on them and have just recently dusted them both with DE. Will have to keep an eye on them both today,Just wish i didn't take the CCTV out of the coop now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 It would be normal for them to grow through some 'big girl' feathers at that age, so they may just be replacing the last of the baby ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 I don't think it's feather pulling then, I sat out there for a really long time yesterday (My toes & bum went numb) I did count 12 small fluffy feathers on the run floor and this morning i collected Lady lay's egg and there were more feathers in the nesting box! I think they might be coming from Orakiah (the younger one) as she's been dustbathing in the nesting box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Sounds like she might be moulting then.. .either that or just getting grown up feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
