puffball Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 My beautiful little hen Amelia lost a few feathers yesterday when I caught her but she still looked fine. Today when I came home from school I saw white feathers everywhere in the run-it looked like a fox had come! Amelia doesn't look like she has lost any feathers and is still pretty, for now. She has lost feathers before earlier in the year and I am wondering if it is a seasonal thing(although none of the others are 'moulting'). Please help because I would hate for her to be cold this winter! P.S. It isn't mites because I only just checked her for them yesterday and all her feathers seem clean and bug free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 It could be that she is having her first moult. Someone might be along shortly with more advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 5, 2007 Author Share Posted November 5, 2007 I hope so but she has already moulted once this year..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 5, 2007 Author Share Posted November 5, 2007 Amelia our broody hen has lost loads of feathers! All part of broodiness I guess! I posted this when she was broody and she lost billions of feathers then. Do you think that it could be too do with broodiness? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Errmmm, that i'm not sure of because none of my chickens have gone broody yet. Hopefully someone will be along who knows more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Autumn, surprisingly, is a very common time for mouting (poor things!) It is usual for hens to have a couple of partial moults (some of which may be hardly noticeable} then a major moult. So, from what you've said, nature is just taking it's course, I'm certain. It's wise to watch that individual moulting hens are actually feeding enough, they can become thin as well as featherless. I always give mine some poultry spice or tonic at this time, the feather growing takes it out of them. Also extra protein, in whatever form is tempting to them, is a good idea, there are lots of tips on the forum. This week I am actually giving cat food (I've never had a cat) to my 2 & 3 year old moulters as they are looking particularly pathetic! The bigger the moult, the longer they will stop laying. Some hens may look really bare, others less so, but you'll soon see the new feather shafts poking through. Hope this is reassuring for Amelia! Of course, we should always be vigilant in case of other symptoms, but this moulting is to be expected. PS...only just read about the broodiness. Yes, they may pull some out for the nest at that time. But, your initial description sounds like a moult. My run also looked like an attack aftermath, I'm so glad for both of us it wasn't! (I do know it wasn't here ) It's one thing after another with some of these hens! Pop back again if you're not sure though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share Posted November 6, 2007 Thanks very much for your advice Amelia does seem more prone to moulting that our other 6 but I'm glad you think it isn't serious! Chickens have to be the funniest pet there is! You never know what to expect, In fact I swear that they spend the whole day plotting what they can do to worry me next! Thanks again for your advice ******* You're a * STAR * ******* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 (edited) Thanks for your kind reply. Yes, I do believe that hens are plotting behind our backs, and are the funniest creatures. It's good to be able to chat about that here. For some reason, my friends all think I'm obsessed with chickens & their antics. Edited November 8, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 7, 2007 Author Share Posted November 7, 2007 Your friend THINK you're obsessed with chickens? I'm sure they have NO idea... just kidding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Don't worry Puffball, as Sheila says, it's completely natural at this time of year. Mine are all moulting at the moment and are quickly sprouting their new winter collections. Try chick crumbs for a good dose of protein; mix it in with their usual feed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 7, 2007 Author Share Posted November 7, 2007 thanks for you're advice with chick crumbs-I think we still have some after our failed chick hatching in the summer. the only thing that I am still unsure of is why none of my other girls are moulting? any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 They never all do it at the same time Hon. It depends on their age too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share Posted November 8, 2007 Oh right! I get it now! The trouble is I don't know how old Amelia is! Are there any clues to help you guess? (other than the obvious ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Oh right! I get it now! The trouble is I don't know how old Amelia is! Are there any clues to help you guess? (other than the obvious ) Well you should never ask a lady her age, that's just rude! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Today when I came home from school I saw white feathers everywhere in the run-it looked like a fox had come! Amelia doesn't look like she has lost any feathers and is still pretty, for now. She has lost feathers before earlier in the year and I am wondering if it is a seasonal thing(although none of the others are 'moulting'). Please help because I would hate for her to be cold this winter! . I'm sure it will be the autumn moult. My girls are losing feathers all over the place. Evil Georgie has a bald back to her neck - as she does each autumn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 10, 2007 Author Share Posted November 10, 2007 awww how sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 awww how sweet! Unfortunately sweet is one thing Evil Georgie NEVER is She is nasty! When she moults her appearance fits her moods; her neck feathers all fall out and she looks really terrible. And she struts around in an even worse temper than usual. The others just keep out of her way, as usual! All my other girls sleep in the Cube but Georgie sleeps separate in her own bijou studio coop for one. Only once did Arrietty (now she is sweet)venture into Georgie's house, I don't know why, but Georgie ejected her in double quick time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenzin Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I have one of mine going through the same thing ATM , feathers are every where and i thought something had killed her last week , amazing how many feathers start flying round the garden , i usualy put them on htere own for 20 minutes a day when there going through this and give them a boost with a tin of cat food It really seems to help to get the feathers back quicker ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 I got THAT wrong then Richard!!! I checked Amelia over again this morning and she had lost most of them a the bottom of her neck, under her wings and on her 'thighs'. In case that helps anyone...? I tried to feed her some tuna as well but with the others around she wasn't getting much of it. Then when I picked her up to get her to eat it she just got upset and ran off! I then put her with just Ivory and she managed to get some then. I don't understand her though, you try and help them and they run off squawking! Chickens huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 P.S. Richard- I just looked at your album hoping to see a picture of 'Evil' Georgie but there are no labels! The two brown girls look really pretty, who are they??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 P.S. Richard- I just looked at your album hoping to see a picture of 'Evil' Georgie but there are no labels! The two brown girls look really pretty, who are they??? there is a picture of a little brown chicken - Doris (who is now dead) and behind her is Georgie - she is black with orange feathers in her collar, a Pepperpot. I'll post a picture of her in this thread in a minute when I find one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 oh great thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 my_girls_001 -is that the image you mean? Is she really a pepper pot? I must confess I don't know the breed of most of mine and can only guess except for Puffball! If you figure out how to put a picture in your message let me know so that I can show you pics of them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 P.S. Richard- I just looked at your album hoping to see a picture of 'Evil' Georgie but there are no labels! The two brown girls look really pretty, who are they??? Evil Georgie earlier this year. She is in her prime in this picture - I daren't put a photo of her now up as she would be livid! Talk about a bad hair day with a bald neck and all! Mess with her if you dare! She is 4 years old, and is smaller than my young Orps (who are only about 6 or 7 months) but they all keep out of her way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
