Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: babe on October 26, 2007, 17:17

Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: babe on October 26, 2007, 17:17: i know im probably worrying over nothing, but Elvis has lost some of his head feathers. they started to grow back then went again and it looks like his head has been plucked and has bled a little bit.

he is only about 18/20 weeks old but is huge already. is this normal and should i be doing anything to help him.

(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/happy-valley/elvispluckedheqd.jpg)

and i dont know if im going stupid, but i cant find the pictures sticky, so i'll put some here as ive been playing with the camera today.

This is Buttercup
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/happy-valley/buttercup1a.jpg)

Little Crunchie
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/happy-valley/crunchie6a.jpg)

Elvis
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/happy-valley/elvis5a.jpg)

Fraggle
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/happy-valley/fraggle4a.jpg)

pavlova and Custard
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/happy-valley/pavlovaandcustard1a.jpg)

Popcorn
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/happy-valley/popcorn1a.jpg)

Treacle
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/happy-valley/treacle2a.jpg)

Crowd scene
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/happy-valley/everyonea.jpg)

As near as my cattyPuss will get
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa171/happy-valley/khufu2a.jpg)
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: Selkie on October 26, 2007, 17:28: amazing photos! 8)
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: Jellyhead on October 26, 2007, 17:40: Lovely chooks. I particularly like evis :wink:
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: babe on October 26, 2007, 17:43: Quote from: "Frenchconnection"
Lovely chooks. I particularly like evis :wink:

i absolutely love Elvis. he struts about like he's the king of his castle, so funny
such a shame that when he starts crowing he will have to go to a new home, so far he hasnt made a peep.

am i horrid for praying he's mute? :wink: - only joking
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: tallulah on October 26, 2007, 17:48: Can't answer your query, but CAN admire your chucks! Corr! I had a nice little mix like that once .... ahh, those were the days. The silkie was my fave!
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: Aunt Sally on October 26, 2007, 17:54: OH MG Elvis is scary :shock:

I would suspect quill mite on him. It looks as if the feathers are broken off rather than pulled out.

Dust him well with a pyrethrin or carbaryl powder - flea powder or get some spot on (front line) from your vet.
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: babe on October 26, 2007, 18:05: hi aunty,

is red mite powder no good for this??

its only elvis affected

i do a thorough clean weekly

is it something ive done?
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: Aunt Sally on October 26, 2007, 18:07: I've edited my post HV see above. You could try red mite powder but if the mites are IN the quills a spot on would probably be better.
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: babe on October 26, 2007, 18:19: cheers aunty, is that cat frontline as i have a new box of 6 pippettes of that for the cat..

would i use a whole pippette or just one drop?
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: Aunt Sally on October 26, 2007, 18:21: Quote from: "happyvalley"
cheers aunty, is that cat frontline as i have a new box of 6 pippettes of that for the cat..

would i use a whole pippette or just one drop?

I don't know I think it's just a drop, I've never needed it do it myself. I think you should ask your vet, unless anyone here can give you advice :D
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: babe on October 26, 2007, 18:22: will call the vet know, then put up what he says in case anyone needs to know in the future.

brb
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: Aunt Sally on October 26, 2007, 18:27: Thnks HappyV, We'll wait for your update :D
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: babe on October 26, 2007, 18:39: I love my Vet, he's fantastic.

OK so here's what he said about frontline for chickens.

although not licensed for poultry in the UK, it is widely used and found to have great results.

use cat, kitten or puppy strength.

3/4 drops for large fowl.
1/2 drops for a bantam or smaller chickens.

Never use on a chick until fully feathered - then only 1 small drop!

always place on the back of the neck, some people will say under the wing - do not put it there!! back of the neck only.

it will kill all mites and give about 3 months cover on poultry so can be used quaterly as a preventative measure.

has shown wonderous results on scaly leg mites.

you will need to treat all your poultry the same day, to prevent cross infection

a good spray of jeyes fluid the same day in all the crooks and crannies of your coop is also advisable.

hope that helps.
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: tallulah on October 26, 2007, 19:17: Great tip, thanks. Best to stay clear of the eggs for a while, do you think?
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: babe on October 26, 2007, 19:19: Quote from: "tallulah"
Great tip, thanks. Best to stay clear of the eggs for a while, do you think?

good point.

will call the vet again tomorrow.

where abouts are you in woody, thats where my dad comes from?
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: Aunt Sally on October 26, 2007, 19:47: Thanks HappyV, I'll put a link into the parasites sticky :D
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: richyrich7 on October 26, 2007, 20:09: Ace HV well worth knowing, thank you.
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: babe on October 26, 2007, 20:14: thanks aunty, i feel right proud to have contributed.

vet rang back, frontline doesnt get into animals blood stream so should not affect eggs, but he says that until its poultry licensed he wouldnt like to say for certain, maybe wise to give them 5-7 days to err on the side of caution.

have just frontlined my lot.

sat on a perch with my red torch, all behaved wonderfully. took 3 pippettes for 10 chickens. 2 for 6 biggies and the 3rd done all 4 of the littlies.

elvis settled himself right down, looked like he was sound asleep, good 15 minutes and he never moved an inch, i must be comfy to sit on, i so dont want him to go now. - desparately seeking a chicken shhsher
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: babe on November 04, 2007, 09:54: Just a quick update on Frontline.

ive had no ill effects from anyone.

no odd looking poops, yes ive been looking :oops: and everyone eating and playing as normal.

and elvis is now growing lots of new feathers on his head (quicker than i expected) and doesnt look sore anymore.

i will post a new photo when he is back looking gorgeous.

so thanks aunty for pointing me in the frontline direction, its worked wonderfully
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: muntjac on November 04, 2007, 09:57: does it werk for bald spots ....... shaun needs some help with replanting his little open space :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Elvis looks like he's been plucked
Post by: ssatt44 on November 04, 2007, 15:39: Sorry mate, sounds like it's time for a sod patch, re-seeding won't work :wink:

sharon in az

does it werk for bald spots on me