Solitary chicken - need advice

[Julia_K]

Morning all

 

I have an 18 month old Goldline who has some thinning feathers just under her vent (the shafts are still there but the actual feathers are thinning). Some of the bases of the shafts are a little inflamed. Until this weekend, she has otherwise been right as rain but for the last couple of days she has been withdrawn and not eating very much. She has new feathers coming through in places but hasn't moulted yet in the "classic" way. I can't see any sign of mites or lice on her and have treated the inflamed shaft bases with a bit of Sudacrem. She was wormed at the beginning of August, her abdomen and crop feel normal and she is up to date with preventative lice treatment - could there be anything else I need to look for? I'm not sure if the feather thing and the lethargy are linked but it's the only thing I can think of right now. There is no indication the others are pecking her (unless it's in the coop at bedtime but it's all been quiet in there when I've monitored it) and she doesn't show signs of pecking herself.

 

Any thoughts anyone?

[chuckmum6]

Most likely a moult, give her a tin of tuna (protein boost) and add some apple cider vinegar to her water, keep an eye on her, but it is most likely a moult, they get run down, go off lay and feel very uncomfortable. You could give her a spray of anti peck on the red bits.

If in doubt take her to the vet.

[Julia_K]

Thanks very much! I'll see if she takes the tuna. She's already on ACV and I've also put some tonic in another drinker, so fingers crossed she's just feeling a little sorry for herself and picks up. I've got a good poultry vet nearby so I'll head off there if things don't start to improve.