good_egg Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 When I snuck in to see the chooks last night D was asleep with a feather in her mouth - one of her own. Thought it was a bit random but figured shed been a bit fastidious with her bedtime bath. However this morning, in daylight, the run looks like something terrible has happened - there are feathers everywhere!! She still looks fine - couple of patches where her under feathers are showing through and her tail looks shorter.... Is she moulting? If so is this the right sort of speed? She has just been broody but broke her after about 2/3 days. Should I put tonic in the water for all of them? What one? Should I feed any differently? Sorry for all the questions but it is my first moult and I've heard it's very hard on them and I do worry about my girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Oh dear, I had the same the other week, a few feathers in the cube overnight but when I came home from work that evening I couldn't believe it, downey feathers everywhere (I posted a question!) I know I have one girl going through moult as the vet confirmed but unfortunately this wasn't the moult at all but something far more insidious! It took a few days to catch them in the act but I had two girls literally plucking a few of the others, tail feathers too:) a few bald red patches but no bleeding,I used stop peck and violet spray, did that every night for a week when they went in the cube and touch wood all seems fine. It was strange as they were ok with the girls eating and drinking and couldn't see any reason why, but there it was!! Naughty girls!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Sorry, as regards to my girls moult, I give her a small tin of tuna twice a week and a few high protein treats in the afternoon but she really does seem fine in herself, she is laying sporadically but is happy, doesn't seem any different from the others....well maybe not as aesthetically pleasing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Moulting does rather look like a pillow fight has taken place 2 of mine have been moulting recently and they do get to look a bit straggly. Sometimes some of the feathers do get eaten but I have swept a lot of mine up. Dried mealworms are a good source of protein and Lifeguard tonic that you put in their water is good for them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 poultry spice can help too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted August 9, 2013 Author Share Posted August 9, 2013 I had a feeling there was something you could give them which contained whatever they need to grow feathers but I can't find it now - perhaps I was dreaming!! Thanks for replies. Hope its a moult and not the other two being mean! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 life guard tonic helps to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulabellx1 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Sounds like a moult to me, a pillow fight is a good way of describing it Obviously check them over for any sore spots (which could indicate feathers being pulled out) but if no sign, then I would safely say it's a moult. You can put vitamin E drops in their water... helps the re-growth. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Some of my girls are starting to moult, I have a little blue silkie and she has been moulting for ages, the new feathers have grown back darker than the others so she looks like a patchwork chicken, not a good look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Think it must be the change in temp as some of mine are moulting.....but they have just stopped being broody so it could be either really!!!! Yes life guard and extra protein help .......also keep the nutri-drops handy....just in case! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted September 3, 2013 Author Share Posted September 3, 2013 So Dorothy had stopped at the patchy/mangy stage but today there are a load more feathers in the run and she now has no tail!! Think she is going to spend the autumn in a shabby chic outfit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Uh oh, good_egg! I sympathise. One of my girls has two tail feathers left as she started moulting only yesterday - I am sure by tomorrow morning she will be tailless - bless her! They really do look terrible and patchy - and it definitely looks like a pillow fight in the run Pebble's new feathers are coming through on her back and on the top of her head (she's suppose to have a fluffy 'hat') and these areas look like hedgehog spines at the moment - it's great to see the new feathers coming through though Hope your ladies recover from their first moult soon x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 They look so pathetic when they are moulting, don't they? Bella had a really hard moult last year, she seemed to do a massive feather dump all in one go rather than gently losing a few here and there. She looked like a porcupine when it all started to grow back I was so worried as she's an ex batt and it was her 4th winter with us. However, she seemed to breeze through. Roll on winter number 5. I have the Life Guard tonic at the ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
