Chicken bald back

[sadieatthebridge]

Following on from my thread in Chicken Clinic about my limping columbine, Margot and a possible cat attack....

 

Well, after a couple of days in chicken hospital (isolation/rest) Margot is no longer limping. She is still sitting a lot though so is perhaps still recovering.

 

I have an automatic door which was set to close this evening at 21:30. I have just been out to the chicken run after hearing a commotion (~21:50). Heard the repetitive alarm call Bok Bok Bok Bokquark Bok Bok Bok Bokquark. Found all three chickens in a huddle, stretched necks peering about. None in bed and the door shut.

 

They were perhaps late to bed tonight and missed the door closing, hence being locked out. However there were LOTS of feathers about. All from my Speckledy Adelaide. I'd estimate 100-120 feathers. And when I picked up Hetty the Gingernut Ranger, several came off her too.

 

The sawdust in the hen house as disturbed, though this could be because one had been to bed then got herself up again. Margot has been retiring early since her injury

 

What has happened? Could it be a repeat cat attack?! Would they loose feathers like this? I could see no injuries on them, nor any obvious bald patches, but will have a closer look n the morning.

 

I'm worried about my ladies - what's been going on?!

 

Thanks in advance

[sadieatthebridge]

Just a quick update:

 

All chooks seem physically fine this morning. Speckeldy has a bald breast but she has just come out of a 8 week broody phase so that could be the cause of that.

 

There were quite a few feathers in the hen house today - from all 3 chickens I think?

 

Hetty, the Gingernut was stalking around the outside of the run/playhouse making a fair racket - could she be perturbed by a nocturnal visitor?

[Beantree]

Has the heat caused an early moult?

[sadieatthebridge]

I did think that it could be a moult. I was just distracted by the injury and the alarm call.

 

The chickens are around 16 months old. They've lost a few feathers in the past but nothing significant. And they've always laid regularly, apart from broody times.

 

Is it usual to lose so many feathers so suddenly?

[Millie-Annie]

I have a photo of Clara's last moult, she lost almost all her feathers over night, it was amazing

 

I will try to find it