tjandcpj Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Hi, I have 2 gingernut rangers & 1 Miss pepperpot (through Omlet in Sept 2010 ), they all live happily in their Eglu. However, i recently noticed ! gingernut & the pepperpot has lost alot of their fluffy "bottom" feathers and feathers from their chest. Does this mean the other gingernut is pecking them ? of could it be lice or something ? I have not noticed anything in their behaviour ? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 After a year or so one of my hens decided to start pecking another, when they had never pecked eachother before. Observe them as much as you can to check its not this. It could be lice, have you checked them and when was the last time you treated them for lice? Or, more likely, they could just be moulting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjandcpj Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 Thanks for your reply, are lice visible easily ? they love to be handeled so i inspect their feathers and have never noticed anything untoward. Maybe they are moulting Just, Mabel seems not to be ! I chicken watch for too long and have never noticed any of them pecking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hetty and Hilda Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 sounds to me like they are moulting, they never moult at the same time (i find anyway) I currently have one moulting wile the other is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Lice are a pale yellow colour, and a few mm long. If you part your hens feathers (like stroking them backwards), you can see the base of the feathers. If they have any, they are usually there (if you look at the neck/back). Another way is to look for eggs stuck to the feathers around the vent. I still think they are probably moulting, as H&H said, they don't usually moult at the same time (which is good as then you still get some eggs ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 We've had this. Our Light Sussex has a bald derriere and chest feathers missing. In our case our black rock has been feather pecking - have seen her in action. Unfortunately Peckers by name and Peckers by nature - she did a lot of damage in a short space of time, poor Luna hasn't recovered feather wise yet but gets out of Peckers way quick these days. Have tried the usual lotions and potions but it's a hard habit to break. Fingers crossed your hens are moulting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
