Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[auntielizzie]

All four of my chickens started moulting around October-time and didn't really seem to finish until December. Betsy seemed to feather up completely and looked very beautiful and plump, as did Mrs Beaky. However, Bessie was left with a large bald patch under her vent and Bertha still had a scraggy neck and a bald underbelly. I have been waiting for them to finish feathering up, but it hasn't really happened.

 

This morning the coop floor is covered with feathers It looks like Bessie and Betsy's feathers mainly, but also Bertha has loads of feathers hanging off ready to fall too. I'm beginning to wonder if there's something up?

 

The only other problem is that they have been doing a lot of runny poos lately, but they do seem to drink a lot.

 

I've tried checking them for mites, but the girls don't really like being handled so it is difficult to see.

 

They have ACV and occasional poultry tonic and the only treats they really have are mealworms daily and greens a couple of times a week.

 

I did change their feed recently (from Garvo to Smallholders) in an attempt to save a bit of money. Maybe this is the cause?

 

I wormed them the week before last.

 

I've bought Garvo again for when the Smallholders bag runs out, but does anyone have any advice or is this moulting/feather loss normal?

 

Egg production is ok I think, although Bertha's eggs are often thin shelled and get eaten - the non thin shelled ones have rough shells. Bessie has always been an intermittent layer. Beaky and Betsy are laying regularly, what I could call good normal eggs.

 

We have just celebrated our 3rd henniversary and I still don't seem to know anything

[Beantree]

Nothing wrong with Smallholders Auntielizzie, but Garvo has a top reputation. Don't see it being the change of feed. Runny poos can be worms, but I can't see that causing sudden feather loss, but it would account for poor egg condition. Did you worm them with Flubenvet? I'm not keen on ACV in the water, certainly not continuously, but what concentration are you giving them? It should be no more than 1%. It raises the gut acidity too much if you use more and may have some side effects. It could also be due to a sudden change to hot weather though, triggering a moult in all. You really do need to check them for lice and Northern Fowl Mite regularly to avoid potential major problems.

[auntielizzie]

Thanks Beantree; yes I wormed them with Flubenvet so that should be ok. Maybe the ACV is a bit strong - although I don't give it to them all the time, just occasionally although they do have some at the moment. I went back out and gave Bertha and Bessie a good healthcheck. No sign of anything untoward so I'm none the wiser

[Eggasperated]

Don't know if this is of any help but I have had a similar experience.

 

One of my girls moulted in October and then again at the start of this year, she also had very runny poos which had a greenish tinge. By measuring food and studying her behaviour I found she was not eating - I hadn't changed the food (Garvo) - anyway after some help on here I started to give her food as a wet porridge and that started her eating again, I was also able to worm her with flubenvet in this way. She had no signs of any lice or mites and has now feathered up and appears to be eating normally although she has not laid yet this year despite crouching and visiting the nest box.

 

I guess life would be boring without chickens to keep us on our toes .

[auntielizzie]

Thanks Eggsasperated, I've just given them some pellet porridge which they wolfed down I will try giving them a bowl of this for a while and see if it helps

[Chickabee]

Have you ever tried orego stim. It's very good especially after worming. Also you could give them some black sunflower seeds. They are high in protein and selenium, so good for feathers and eggs. Good luck

[auntielizzie]

Thanks Chickabee, I might give those a try too. Where do you buy black sunflower seeds - I'm thinking maybe with wild bird food?

[Chickabee]

I get mine from amazon. You can get a really big bag delivered, they came really quickly think I got the orego stim from there too

[mimi5]

I've just given them some pellet porridge which they wolfed down

 

Top tip, you can add stuff in to the pellet porridge Mine get linestone flour, sometimes poultry spice (when they're moulting) and a sprinkle of quail food on the top!!!!