stephent Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Hello, I need some advice please from anyone who has come accross this before. One chook over night became bald on her bum, closely followed by the other one. The other two girls are fine at the mo! What may have caused this? We have a classic and each week take it totally apart and wash thoroughly with jays fluid, which I would have guessed would have killed any housing critters. I've not had a really good inspection of the girls yet, so don't know if lice are the cause. We lime the chippings sometimes and replenish also so its all clean for them to roll around in. If you could give us a hint of what this may be caused by and treatment for the cause we would be ever so grateful. Kind thanks to all you chicken enthusiasts, Leah and Steve x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Possibly lice. have you wormed them recently? They might have started their moult. Have you seen any signs of bullying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 It could possibly be the start of a molt. Are there feathers everywhere? If not and to be honest it sounds more like bullying and feather pulling by one of your other hens. Knickers are often the first to go. Might be worth spraying them with some anti pecking spray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephent Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Thanx guys for your replies. There are a few feathers, however both girls are still laying so i'm not convinced its the moult, plus it almost happened over night with the one girl. The two with bald bums are the most confident, however the specledy is the boss. It may be a case of buillying. I shall buy some spray I think! I have had a good look at them today and neither are showing signs of lice. Megg the one whos bum fluff went first has already started growing feathers back, and so maybe fisticuffs at dawn is the culprit! Thanx again chook enthusiasts x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 What time do you let them out? They might be awake too long in the house in the mornings and start feather plucking due to boredom and being in an enclosed space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephent Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 We usually let them out at 7.30am, however the morning we noticed megg we were away and our neighbour let them out at 9am. Since then we have been on holiday for a week and they have been let out at 8am each morning for a week. What time do you advise please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Sounds a bit late, maybe more about 7am or earlier if you suspect bullying. We let ours out at 6, although we are going to start doing it later now as they dont start squawking that early now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
