Goldie Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Hi all - Bit of history to start with...Have an elderly (3 year) hybrid Whitey who is looking a bit sorry for herself. Thought it was because she had funny feet (they curl inwards when she walks). Now the scales are lifting a bit so I'm spraying her for scaly leg daily. Generally she's a lot slower now and the last one to do anything, sometimes doesn't even want to free range and just happy to lie down. Last week she was wormed with flubenvet...she hasn't laid for 18 months. Anyway, for the last month I've noticed white feathers all over the run. Fine, I thought, she's having a moult (strange time in the middle of summer, but anyway). Next (about 2 weeks ago) I see a splash of blood on her breast, and again the next day. Wasn't sure where it was coming from - or even if it was from her - this then went away and didn't think any more of it. Today I see her tail feathers are much shorter and she has moulted some out. When I checked to see if new ones were coming through I see the base of the new barbs are covered in fresh blood Bit too obvious for my liking on a white chicken, although you do have to part the feathers to see down to the skin. Is it normal for this fresh blood to be happening around the base of new/old feathers? She's not getting picked on thankfully, despite the blood. She generally looks really sorry for herself...what more can I do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 No, it isn't normal Goldie. Something is eating the feathers and if it isn't the other chickens then it could be depluming lice or more likely mice. Is she perching at night, because if she is on the floor and mice can get into the coop? Can mice get into the run where she lies down? She may be tired because of blood loss? Is her comb pale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 Hi Beantree- thanks for your reply. She sleeps on the floor, yes. I figured her feet were too sore to perch. How will I know what is causing it then? When I was looking into her feathers I didn't see evidence of anything else untoward, and they are diatomed/poultry shielded. Her comb is nice and red, but smaller as she isn't laying. Would mice do that? I can't say we don't have any running about at night but as they free range I don't want to be putting traps or bait down. We take the food up every night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Think you need to look for mouse droppings in the coop Goldie. They can get through extremely small holes and the problem is worst with coops set on the floor. Often they nibble their way in through corners. They will be attracted to the area by spilled food. The alternative is get her to perch if possible. We recently bought a replacement cockerel. He had no tail feathers because the mice had eaten them. His coop was on the floor in a large barn. They have all grown back now though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
