Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[MaryKate]

Firstly an update on the introduction of Roxy and Bella (two black rocks) to my existing lonely Marlene. It is actually going pretty well - Marlene has decided Bella is ok and only gives her the evil eye if Bella becomes too confident and tries to eat quicker than Marlene thinks is reasonable - Bella is rather like an over zealous teenager and goes at things with gusto! She is slightly less tolerant with Roxy (the bigger of the two newbies) but will only give her a peck or run at her if she thinks Roxy is getting too close. Most of the time they seem to manage together pretty well - even in their WIR and in the Eglu at night. They all sit at the back door in line waiting for their porridge without squabbling. Having separate feeders has helped as did resorting to the water pistol treatment on a few occasions. Marlene behaves once she sees me just pick up the dreaded weapon!

 

HERE IS MY NEXT BIG CONCERN HOWEVER - Do we ever get to the stage of not having concerns?

 

I have noticed that Marlene's tail feathers are beginning to look a bit tatty and when she is preening she has started to peck at the top of her own tail. There seems to be either the root of an old feather or a new feather emerging from her skin. How do I know which it is? She has been pecking round this bit of skin for a few days and I am wondering whether she is starting a moult? I have no idea how a moult starts - do they pick their feathers out gradually or is there a period when they really go for the lot? And could this be caused by the stress of having these two interlopers into her territory? I really don't have any experience about moulting so have no idea what new feathers look like when they start growing. Sorry for all the questions - maybe there are links to questions on moulting but I couldn't find them.

 

MaryKate

[MummyHen]

There seems to be either the root of an old feather or a new feather emerging from her skin. How do I know which it is? She has been pecking round this bit of skin for a few days and I am wondering whether she is starting a moult?

 

That could be her preening gland - on her back just near her tail

As for moulting - my Gold lace is just starting to moult; she always looks really shabby just beforehand

[MaryKate]

Thank you MummyHen - I believe you are right. I mentioned it to a retired farmer who lives nearby and he suggested the same - whilst sort of looking at me as if I should have known this sort of thing being the owner of chickens!. So I googled it when I got home and found some pics. So I feel somewhat stupid but I'll get over it! I suppose with all the rain we are having, the girls are trying to keep themself a bit waterproofed hence all he grooming and oiling of the feathers.

MaryKate