They are going bald!

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They are going bald!

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AnnieK

Joined: 12 May 2010
Posts: 50

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 11 3:41 pm Post subject: They are going bald!

When I first spotted a balding patch under a hen's chin I thought she must be moulting despite it being the wrong time of year but then all of them started to look plucked under the chin and down the front of their necks and needless to say, the egg laying stopped.

As a just in case measure, I treated them all with frontline a week ago and all but the worst affected are laying again. There is also clear feather growth on the plucked bits. And the great bruiser of the flock, Pigeon, was spotted today pecking at a bald bit on Rhonda.

Has anyone any idea what is happening? Is Pigeon plucking her sisters for fun or pecking them because they have bald bits? Could it be the stress of that cold snap around Christmas has started them all moulting? Anyone experiencing the same kind of thing?

Harvestmouse

Joined: 05 Jan 2011
Posts: 23
Location: A muddy field in Devon

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 11 11:01 am Post subject:

Hello AnnieK, I've got one that has a bald patch on the side of her neck at the moment, she seems fine in herself though and feathers are growing back now.

I was wondering if they got a bit stressed when the weather was really bad and they weren't coming out as much as usual. I also saw a load of feathers around as if they were moulting.

Watch out for Pigeon, if she draws blood they will all peck at Rhonda out of curiosity. That's what happened to one of mine and I've had to permanently separate her from the flock now. Mind you, it's a great excuse for me to start a second flock

I'll be getting a little bantam pullet for her to mother later this week.

evie2

Joined: 29 May 2010
Posts: 2156
Location: Here

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 11 6:28 pm Post subject:
One of my Amber Stars started her moult a couple of weeks ago, she's the last of the big girls to moult, all of them have been 'oven ready' at different times over the last 3 months If any blood is drawn, put some purple spray on the area, I'm told it works to heal and deter more pecking

Woodburner

Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 2904
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 11 5:04 pm Post subject:
The wierdest thing is the way they stand and let the others peck at them! Try increasing their protein intake.

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