Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: loretta cluck on July 16, 2012, 11:41

Title: bald breast
Post by: loretta cluck on July 16, 2012, 11:41
Noticed when powdering my girls with DE that one of them is completely bald on her lower breast, kind of between her legs.  Had a job on keeping her still, but noticed that there looks to be one or two "stalks", blue colour that i presume are new feathers growing from the outside of the bald area.  She certainly isnt displaying signs of being broody, and i dont think i have a bug problem, as there's nothing amiss with the other 5 girls.  She started laying end of April, so could it be that she is moulting - have been putting poultry spice in food, ACV in water etc.
She seems okay in herself...any ideas would be most appreciated thanks.
Title: Re: bald breast
Post by: ANHBUC on July 16, 2012, 12:47
Sounds like a partial molt so nothing to worry about.  You have checked for everything else so it is a matter of waiting for her new feathers which sound as if they are coming through. 
Title: Re: bald breast
Post by: loretta cluck on July 16, 2012, 13:08
Thankyou - it was quite a shock when i turned her over, and all i could see was pink skin!
Title: Re: bald breast
Post by: ANHBUC on July 16, 2012, 13:35
I have one the same and also a Black Rock with a bald bottom since molting in the Spring.  Either she or one of the others is pecking her new feathers before they get chance to grow.  I have tried purple spray and also zinc and castor cream but neither made any difference.  Talking to other hen owners this seems to be a common thing. 

The only other thing I thought of trying was a sports bandage to cover her while they regrow.  The thought of trying to wrap her up leaving her vent uncovered so she can still poo has stopped me trying this.  I might pluck up the courage (pardon the pun!) to giving it a go if her bottom is still baldy for the autumn.  ::) :lol: