hbeedie Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Hey, Please can anybody give me advice as my 1 year old white sussex 'Poppy' is not very happy. My garden is just full of white feathers and has been for about four weeks, at first after a bit of research I thought she was moulting and i even felt the spikes of new feathers coming up on her back. She has not layed any eggs for the same amount of time, her thing on her head (sorry writing this during a night shift and my mind just went blank to the name) has gone pale pink in colour, she just doesnt look very happy at all. When I picked her up today more feathers came out???? Also I am wondering if this might be the after effect of a fox attack that happened four - five weeks ago. The fox managed to kill two of our ladies (Very Sad) but poppy escaped without any injuries however she is now very shy and the only way I can get near to her is to wait until she is tucked up in bed! Any advice would be great Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 So sorry about your girls. She may just be moulting, which can make them feel a bit out of sorts. Stress can cause moults but it's also that time of year. Pure-breeds do usually stop laying over the winter and their head-gear goes paler. You could try giving her a tonic, such as poultry spice, and a bit of extra protein. Is she eating/pooing OK? Can you feel any lumps/bumps? See any parasites? Is she up to date on worming? Do you have other chickens, still, or is she on her own now? If the latter she needs a friend or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 It does sound like a full on moult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 My two older girls of 1 1/2 yrs were losing a few feathers over the last two weeks but this last two days they are everywhere, poo trays ,nest box and in the run, the girls are looking a bit bedraggled and feathers stuck out all over.I have added some tonic to their water and some spice to the pellets . Do i need to give them anything else extra Protein or anything ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 You could give them a bit of catfood (not chicken-flavoured!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
