Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[fujcube]

Hi,

Our poor Light Sussex is suffering from feather loss around the fron of her nech and in the area below her vent. Does anyone know what is causing this and if anything, what would the treatment be?? I have ordered mite/louse powder but am concerned that it may be something else. The area of feather loss under her vent is larger than what you can see in the photograph.

 

Regards, fujcube

 

 

 

[chelsea]

Ouch, that looks sore poor thing.

 

I'm not sure what's causing it but I think I would maybe take her to the vet for some antibiotics as it looks a little bit infected to me.

[Snowy]

the bruising suggests that she has been pecked Is one of your other girls plucking her?

[Porkypie]

I'm thinking feather pecking too... Have you got any anti-peck spray like ukadex? Might be worth applying some antiseptic cream too as the skin looks broken.

[fujcube]

Hi,

 

I'm not aware of any of the others pecking her but that's not to say it isn't happening. I will keep a close eye on them over the next few days and see if I can catch any of them at it.

 

I have some purple spray I can use, gonna look a bit mad though, a purple and white, Light Sussex.

 

Regards, fujcube

[Egluntyne]

Looks typical of feather pecking to me.

[The Dogmother]

Me too... get those bumper bits out!

[fujcube]

Hi,

 

Went out to check my girls tonight after work and was horrified by what was going on!! My Buff Orpington and Light Sussex were pecking and pulling feather from each other like there was no tomorrow!!! They have also made a good job of stripping my Rhode Island Reds backside. I know that she isn't involved as she already has a Bumper Bit fitted and my wee Cream Legbar is too small to get involved.

 

Now that I'm convinced it's feather pulling, I'm after your suggestions on how best to tackle this.

 

Should I let it take it's natural course, even if I end up with semi-bald chooks!! or, fit Bumper Bits to all those involved!

 

So far, I have not tried anti-pecking spray as there seems to be mixed reviews on this as a deterrent.

 

 

 

Regards, fujcube

[Porkypie]

Having a similar current problem so I'd go for a two pronged approach and go for BBs on the feather pullers and spray all with a strong anti-peck sray too. I'm giving mine extra protein, natural yogurt and extra hanging veg to give them more to peck at

 

After a few days I saw the BB benefits and so far that has done the trick... I hope you get it sorted

[The Dogmother]

I'd put bits on them all. Extra protein will encourage the missing feathers to grow.

[Egluntyne]

I'd bumper bit them. The behaviour is unlikely to stop of its own accord I'm afraid.