fantasticjudyann Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 My Florence looks quite poorly. She is very lethargic and has lost most of her tail feathers and the rest are looking very scruffy. Her comb has faded to a pink not the usual red. She has not laid for several months. The other two, Josephine and Maureen are fine. They are all coming up to two years old at the end of October. She is at the bottom of the pecking order and I wondered if she is being bullied hence the loss of tail feathers but I haven't seen any signs although there are a lot of feathers in the WIR. They are wormed and de loused regularly and there are no red mites. Does anyone have any ideas? Should she go to the vet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 could it just be winter moult...My girls go off lay, look scruffy and their combs go pink...I give them poultry spice to perk them up... there are people who know much more than me on here they may have better ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspersmum Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Hi there. I agree with the previous reply - one of our older girls had a major moult last autumn, her comb went very pale pink and she stopped laying for several months and we were quite worried. Poultry Spice really helped to perk her up, she restarted laying and her comb is now huge and red and she's never been healthier. The only thing that would concern me is that you said she was quite lethargic, although moulting puts them under a lot of stress it might be worth consulting a vet just to be on the safe side. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticjudyann Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 Thanks for that both. But if Florence was moulting wouldn't the others be doing the same thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 No, not necessarily - they don't all moult simultaneously. Lots of feathers in the run + not laying + pale pink comb are all signs of a moult. Is she eating and drinking normally, and looking 'busy'? If so, then a moult is most likely. If she's not eating/drinking/running for treats, then it could be something else in which case I'd say you need to consult a vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspersmum Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Nope! Chickens being the totally fickle creatures they are seem to do their own thing at the time that suits them - ours all moult at different times of year. Some of ours moult a little bit in instalments throughout the year, the others do one spectacular moult (usually when it's about to snow ) and end up looking oven ready. I've given up trying to understand why chickens do what they do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticjudyann Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 Ah yes I'm understanding moulting now She is still eating and drinking and coming for treats so I guess that's what's happening. I'll just keep an eye on her for the next few days. Thanks to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticjudyann Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 My poorly Florence who I posted about a few days ago has had to be put to sleep. She was not improving in spite of poultry spice in a weetabix porridge and TLC. In fact she looked worse and could hardly stand. I rushed her to the vet and he diagnosed egg peritonitis straight away. We have just brought her home and OH is going to bury her in the garden. All my three came from Omlet at the same time and are about two years old . I had not expected one to go so soon and I am feeling guilty that I didn't spot her illness sooner. I am so sad. Goodbye dear Florence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 So sorry, poor Florence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspersmum Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 So sorry to hear that news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 sorry to see the update Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
