newcountrygirl Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 I have 3 chickens and 1 cockerel. Up to recently they have been fine and healthy. A couple of months ago the white one started what I thought was a moult. Feathers everywhere. The brown one seemed fine apart from her comb was a bit paler than normal. I decided to treat them all with ivermectin as thought it might be a lice problem although I couldnt really see anything. Did the 3 week treatment. Also completely cleaned and treated their house. Then for good measure wormed them all with Flubenvet pellets. This last week the white one has been shedding all her feathers again and this morning when I went to feed them I noticed the cockerel has a patch on his upper chest just below the neck where there is some feather loss. I feel so downhearted and just want to stop keeping chickens but I couldnt bring myself to cull them. I spent a fortune treating them last time and can't afford to keep doing this. Plus for the past 6 months they have hardly laid any eggs between them and the only tie they did was when they were having the treatment and I had to throw them away. Don't know what else to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Please don't despair... a couple of mine did a mini moult at the end of July when we had some very dark days and cooler weather. It is likely that yours are doing a moult now, at the right time. It sounds as if you have been very thorough with your investigations for lice, so we can probably rule that one out. Unless oyu can see a feather pecker, I would dose their water with a good poultry tonic such as Vit Boost or Life-Guard, and wait for them to stop moulting. With regards to the lack of eggs - two questions... * When did you last worm them, and what with? * What are you feeding them on (treats and all)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie Chick Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 How old are they? I think that chickens go through more moults in their first year when they are still growing than adult ones so if they are young it could just be a normal process. They're definitely being fed on layers pellets? Just wondering about the lack of eggs. Do you keep any treats to late on in the day and only give treats sparingly? I had a chicken take 14 months off from egg laying when she was 18 months old and then she started again this summer laying 4 or more per week, so don't give up - sometimes we draw short straws with them, but they are lovely pets to be valued as well as (hopefully) supplying eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 Thanks both of you. I last wormed them about 2 weeks after finishing the ivermectin - with marriages pellets with Flubenvet. The cockerel is about 14 months old. As to then hens I don't know. They were given to me by a friend so I guess they may be coming to the end of their egg laying. I am more concerned about the feather loss. Today I inspected Boris the cockerel and he has more feather loss than I thought. He has loads of feathers which appear to be broken off and he has a large red patch on his chest. I couldnt see any lice or mites though. I have put some Ivermectin on him and will hope for the best. They are fed on layers pellets and have occasional treats of broccoli, cauliflower and corn. I have also tried adding apple cider vinegar to their water and also have given them a tonic in the past few weeks. I love the fresh eggs but that is secondary to the enjoyment of the chickens. I wonder if it is partly down to them being confined to their run and not freeranging for the past few months. I have let them out today and I am just going to see how things transpire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 It doesn't sound like a mite problem to me, nor a feed/worming issue. Without seeing them, my guess is that it is either a moult, or he is rubbing them off against something, such as reaching through netting, or on a feeder. Do watch out for a feather puller though. With regards to the red skin - they have very thin skin, and it tends to get sore when exposed to the sir and light; I'd advise smoothing a little Sudocrem on it for protection. Sorry not to be any more help, but it's hard to diagnose without seeing the whole flock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 Thanks Dogmother. Two of the chickens are fine. The white Sussex is shedding feathers for England again but more like downy feathers. I will just keep an eye on them and see how they go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 I would get some Biotin, you can get it at equine feed stores, and add it to their feed while they are moulting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 thanks. I will try that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
