Chooks-in-London Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Hi, I am fairly new to hen keeping (since Oct 2012) was just wondering if anyone else has come across this, I have 3 hens bantams one is a Silkie (Broodie), one Road Island Red (Reddy), one Legbar (Leggie). The silkie loves her dust baths everyday and I am working from home today, watching her dig a big hole in the mud, burying herself while the RIR seems to gently peck at her and eat any bits off her. They often do it, there is no malice or bullying involved, it seems quite loving and gentle. The Legbar doesn't get involved with this funny business. It reminds me of when monkeys eating fleas from each other! It doesn't worry me, just wondering if this is normal? Also I was wondering about the silkie as she has recently lost the feathers around her legs. She is acting completely normal, eating, drinking fine, no changes there, but one day the run got covered in her feathers and I didn't know why. She's not very tame and doesn't like to be picked up at all so very difficult to catch her and check her. When hens moult is it possible just around the legs and nowhere else? I read that changing food can do this and I did recently change her food to Omlet organic stuff so could that be a factor? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 yes, some of my hens groom each other. Not very much and only occasionally, as far as I can tell And it doesn't look very thorough! It got me a bit worried the first time I saw it too! Don't know about leg feathers, sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 My hens do that when dust bathing. They also groom me when I wash their bottoms!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
