xChicken04x Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Hiya, for the past few days I have noticed a few Nutmeg feathers in the run. The amount seems to be increasing every day. I have no idea why they are falling out though is there something wrong with her? She can't be moulting because she is only about 25 weeks old. I havent seen any of the other chickens pull any out and when we empty the poo trays in the morning there are always feathers there too. Here is a piccie of todays collection: There are more but the other chickens poo'd on them and i didnt fancy picking them up Does anyone know why this is? There are no other feathers apart from Nutmeg's. I collect them as soon as i can because i have heared of chooks eating the feathers because they can taste the blood. Thank you for any help! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Sounds like moulting to me, although youngsters hatched that year aren't supposed to moult the first autumn, it can happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Feemcg posted a list a while back with all the ages when chickens moult. Annoyingly I can't find it in any of the forums They do have little moults in their first year when they replace their baby feathers. My 4 newbies have been losing a few feathers recently, which makes for a lot of feathers as my 4 oldies are all moulting Bubbles had a big moult at 7 months old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted October 8, 2007 Author Share Posted October 8, 2007 Ok thank you! I've just been out to see them and there are loads more feathers!!! She doesnt look bald at all its just a bit of a shock seeing all those feathers! I gave them some tuna and poultry tonic to give her a boost. Thank you again! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 One of mine (a baby from last year) stopped laying last week, no signs of moulting until today, when she shook herself and a cloud of feathers fell out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 One of mine is losing quite a few feathers too. She's only 21 weeks (& not laying yet) so I don't know why. She doesn't look at all bare so I'm not worrying yet - I'll watch this post with interest though. (I'm just collecting the clean ones for the art teacher at school for dream catchers ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 She might just be shedding some last baby feathers and getting pretty new adult ones. Don't forget that their development is slower at this time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
