Reb70 Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 I have 3 hens aged around 10-11 months . They've been totally healthy up til recently when I've noticed feather loss on the front of their necks and when I lifted the feathers of the breast, one of them is totally bald underneath around the crop area. Its not sore looking. They are still laying most days, there is no sign of blood streaks on the eggs as I wondered if they had mites. There is some brown dust around the insides of the eglu but I think this is from the earth and where the hens have flapped their dusty wings etc, but could this be a sign of mites? I haven't seen any? Is it worth using some poultry sheild to clean the eglu to be on the safe side? Could they be having their 1st moult? Is there a good supplement to give them? Any advice would be most welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Hello there It sounds to me as if they are moulting the 'brown dust' could be the casings of new feathers (which look like dust, my girls get it all over the place when they moult). It is strange for hens to lay and moult at the same time, because they need to prioritise thier energy to one thing (either laying or moulting) so i would expect one thing to stop soonish. To help aid a moult, a bit of exta protein wouldn't go a miss. I usually give mine a healthy dose of mealworms But other omleteers recommend tinned tuna and other protein rich foods. Hope this has been helpful xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammapajama Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I just had the same thing and it was self-pecking at a blocked crop. Be sure to check crop for engorgement or hardness! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reb70 Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 Thanks for your replies. If they were self pecking at an engorged crop...would the skin look sore? There is no sign of soreness. What would I be feeling for in an engorged crop? My feeling is that they may be starting a moult. Can the moult go on for some time? And is there usually a time of year that they moult or can it be quite random? I'll get some mealworms as you suggest. It is odd that they are all still laying as you say....I'll keep an eye on them. They seem perky and bright at the moment, no signs of feeling unwell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Most chook go through the moult late autumn but moults do usually start at the neck area so it could be that if there is no soreness its unlikely to be pecking I'd dust them and the coop for mites and lice just in case though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
