LolaLayla Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 I got my hybrid girls June 2010 when they were 22 weeks. I noticed there were a few feathers about in the run about a month ago but nothing seemed to come of it. Egg production has been a bit reduced and I have been keeping them in the run during the morning so that they eat more of the layers pellets which seems to have improved matters. Yesterday I noticed that Layla's knickers were looking a bit worse for wear and there were lots of feathers about. I had a good check and apart from looking a bit bald in the vent area the skin looked fine and there was no sign of insects. (I did give her a puff of DE powder just incase) Looking online it seems to indicate that when birds moult they start to lose feathers round their necks first. Am I wrong in thinking this? Do you think this is the start of a full moult? This is our first experience of moulting so just wondered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 They can start to moult from any area, although some do start on the neck; all of mine started to moult a few weeks back when the weather suddenly got cooler. It is unusual though for them to moult just underneath, there are a few possible causes of this: 1) that she has lice and is pulling out her own feathers to make it feel less itchy - check for lice or mites 2) when the weather is hot they will pluck their abdomen feathers out to cool down or when they are going broody - is it suddenly warmer or is she glued to the nest? 3) the other hen is plucking out her feathers - watch them together, you may need to fit a bumper bit to the pecker to stop this. I hope that you find out what is wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 28, 2011 Author Share Posted September 28, 2011 1) that she has lice and is pulling out her own feathers to make it feel less itchy - check for lice or mites I have just checked again and there do not appear to be any lice or mites. The bald area looks to have a bit of dry skin and some signs of a few short bits of feather about 1cm long. 2) when the weather is hot they will pluck their abdomen feathers out to cool down or when they are going broody - is it suddenly warmer or is she glued to the nest? It has not been warm here until today. She did spend some extra time on the nest box a week or so back when she was having a day without an egg then laying one the next day. 3) the other hen is plucking out her feathers - watch them together, you may need to fit a bumper bit to the pecker to stop this. I have not noticed anything but Layla's vent area looks pinker than Lola's and I wondered if there had been some pecking (perhaps I should get some spray -what would you recommend?) Layla seems to be the head hen so I had assumed Lola would not peck her. Am I wrong thinking that? There seem to be more feathers in the run now. I could see that both girls had a couple of feathers starting to come out on their legs and body so maybe it is the moult starting. If so how long would this last? Thank you for your advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 It is moulting season now, but I'd watch to make sure that you don't have a pecker around as it can easily turn to cannibalism. I'd suggest the NetTex anti-pecking spray but take care to adhere to the dosing instructions as it is possible to overdose. It smells and tastes vile so be very careful not to spray it on a windy day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 28, 2011 Author Share Posted September 28, 2011 Ok thanks I had been looking in the Omlet shop online but I don't think they do that one. I will look online for it. Do you think the few short feathers indicate pecking or could they just have snapped off? If it is due to pecking why do you think it has just started as they have always been together and appear to be happy in each others company? Sorry for all the questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Are they actually snapped off or just the quills for new feathers coming through? It's hard to tell what the cause is without watching the chooks but make sure that they have enough room in their run and adequate feed i.e not too many treats. Good luck with the spray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 28, 2011 Author Share Posted September 28, 2011 I thought it looked as if they had snapped off I have had an idea as to why pecking may have started. As I mentioned due to a reduction in egg production I have been keeping them in the run for the morning and then letting them free range for the rest of the day, prior to that they were let out first thing and had the whole day to dig about. I wonder if this has caused pecking to occur. Anyway I will get the spray tomorrow and will forget about the eggs just now and let them out straight away again. At night Layla sits in the nest box so she is safe then Thank you so much for helping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 Perhaps the proximity of being in the run has meant that she can;'t run away from the pecker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted October 5, 2011 Author Share Posted October 5, 2011 The NetTex spray seems to be having the desired effect. I spotted Lola having a peck at Layla's bottom and she quickly stopped and wiped her beak on the ground so hopefully the taste will put her off. Thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Great news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
