mvw6 Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Hi, I've just joined on my daughter's behalf as she looks after two hens (a Red Co and a Brown Nic) which we got about two months ago. The Red Co is absolutely fine but the Brown Nic has lost most of her feathers on her chest. We've seen the Red Co picking feathers out but we are not sure if she's solely responsible for the dissappearing feathers. Both are laying well and other than the bare chest both seem healthy. Is it normal that one Hen picks an other's feathers out? Could this be a medical condition? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Michael & Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted September 1, 2010 Share Posted September 1, 2010 Hello welcome and your daughter It can be boredom or a deficiency in diet so I would give them a tonic to see if that helps and put some antipeck spray on the feathers. You can hang cabbage or broccoli etc in the run to give them something else to peck at. I use Lifeguard tonic but if you go to a poultry supplier or pet shop they will have an alternative. You add it to the water or use Poultry spice which you can mix in food Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw6 Posted September 8, 2010 Author Share Posted September 8, 2010 Hi, THANK YOU! you really helped us. they really like the broccoli . nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Sounds like you better get sewing some Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw6 Posted September 9, 2010 Author Share Posted September 9, 2010 HI, Yeah I could try planting some! I have one question thats bothered me and my Family for a while and thats that they sleep in their nest-boxes and i end up cleaning their nest-boxes more than their bed room were they sleep! I whould take any suggestions into account to get them sleeping in their bedroom. NINA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 You could try putting a football in the next box but you would have to take it out before their laying time which might be early morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw6 Posted September 10, 2010 Author Share Posted September 10, 2010 Hi Thanks. I might try doing that. Do you think its ok to get the football out at 6.30am? Thanks. Evrything that you've suggested to try has worked. nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 yes that would work, a flowerpot used upside down also works You can also try moving them from the nestbox to the perch after they have been roosting for over an hour or so, they will be too sleepy to move back and after a few nights should get the hang of sleeping on the perches With reference to the feather loss, its the start of moulting season now and so it could be a completely normal moult or mini moult (if the hens are quite young) Sleeping in the nest box can make a hen lose its feathers to some extent as there isnt much airflow if they sleep in a nest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvw6 Posted September 11, 2010 Author Share Posted September 11, 2010 Thank you very much! Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
