ktdot Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 What exactly is a neck moult (apart from the obvious!! ) and what does it mean about the health of the chicken? I got my Coral at approx 17 weeks, she is now 24 weeks and not laying or crouching yet but has grown a lot in size since I got her. She is quite a large bird now. Since a couple of weeks after getting her I am always finding white feathers in the house and round the garden but no evidence on her of bald patches. She now has lots of spikey new feathers but just on her neck. Is this a neck moult? Is it normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 I don't know to much I'm afraid, but one of my hens has a neck moult as well. I think that the possible causes are either: Mites Moulting or possibly the pecking order has gone a bit out of hand? Hopefully someone that knows more can confirm this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktdot Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share Posted November 6, 2007 Don't think it is the pecking order. There's no real problems between them, she's probably middle chicken, likes to chase Priscilla but only when free ranging. Babs, the top chicken, basically ignores them both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Have your chickens had mites recently? It could be that she lost feathers then if so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktdot Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share Posted November 6, 2007 No mites, or any other health problems for that matter. She is her usual lively self. Whatever it is its not bothering her. Thought I read somewhere (but can't find it now, typical!) that POL hens may do this if put on layers pellets too soon. Could that be it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 They have partial moults from time to time, the neck being the usual place for it to happen. Nothing to worry about. Just up their protein intake to help them produce new feathers. We all have our fave methods, such as tuna, (line caught, salt rinsed off) cat food (organic) , chick crumbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 My hen Ebony (the one that also has this problem) was eating pellets before she lost her neck feathers...at least I think she was... she suffered badly from mites earlier this year before she lost her neck feathers but now they are gone her feathers are taking ages to grow back i wonder if they are linked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktdot Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share Posted November 6, 2007 Maybe the stress of the mites caused it? Muriel was on layers pellets when I got her so I presume the breeder had weaned her on to them properly. Oh well, at least the feathers are growing back and I won't be left with a Naked Neck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 im sure they'll be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
