2009 Omlet cube and run for sale

[Lorax]

Our Columbine has appeared particularly skittish the last few days. In the afternoon, when we've put out treats and they all congregate, she runs off if any of the other hens approach her (we have four in total). the other day we noticed most of her tail feathers were gone, and put it down to moulting.

 

Yesterday we were out from 6am til 9pm so we kept them closed up in their run (2m Cube run, i.e. standard run with a 1m extension). They usually either totally free range or are in a 25 metre run. When we saw them this morning, the little Columbine looks in a very sorry state. The back of her neck is almost bare and it looks like some of the feathers on her face are also gone. She looks pitiful. I think this is a classic place to peck? But whilst she is obviously the bottom of the pecking order we have never seen her be pecked. But I'm worried that yesterday, cooped up in their run, she couldn't get away from her main aggressor (who I think is the speckeldy who is still broody). We've sprayed her with anti pecking spray but do you think this is her being pecked or her moulting? And if so do you think she's being bullied at night? It really upsets me to think this.

 

None of the other hens look like they are moulting.

 

Any advice?

[Chicken deficient]

It's the right time of year for moulting - if it's not her first winter. However, it would be a good idea to check her skin for any signs of injury, which would help differentiate between the two.

Also, when they are moulting, they get lots of new feathers coming through at the same time, that are still in their grey casings, so are very easy to spot:

 

 

Sincere apologies to Rachel chicken for posting a photo of her having such a bad hair day

 

I haven't noticed mine being nervy when they are moulting.

[Lavenders_Blue]

My hens seem to become very nervy when moulting. I have two moulting at the moment who have more or less gone feral

They don't necessarily moult at the same time, from what I can tell. My lot are (mostly) ex batts from the same rescue, so presumably the same age, but last winter they all took it in turns to moult.

[Lorax]

Thanks so much!

 

Chicken Deficient - that's EXACTLY what our columbine looks like. She's also gone from being really pretty docile and easy to pick up to impossible to pick up. But I'm pretty sure it IS her first winter. Very pleased to hear she's not being pecked (she is bottom of the order).

 

Should I give her some tonic or something?

[Lavenders_Blue]

She's also gone from being really pretty docile and easy to pick up to impossible to pick up.

 

Don't worry, that's totally normal. I expect she has gone off lay which is normal during moulting as they put their energy into growing new feathers rather than making eggs. When they stop laying, they stop crouching which makes them tricky to catch

To be honest, I try to avoid handling mine when they are moulting as the new feather spikes can be quite tender and it can be uncomfortable for the birds to be handled. Of course there may be times when they need to be handled, in which case I try to be as quick and gentle as possible (not easy when you have a struggling bird in your hands )

[Lorax]

All useful to know LB, thank you. Our Columbine hasn't laid an egg yet.

 

I wanted to know why she's moulting if this is her first winter, any idea?

 

Our Golden Ranger, meanwhile, is laying GIANT eggs.