Should I worry?

Mikey · « **on:** February 10, 2009, 16:08 »

I would appreciate the thoughts of a more experienced chicken keeper on two matters that are worrying me at the moment.

I have a pair of Cotswold Legbars. One has developed a bald patch along her breast bone. I see no signs of fighting between the two birds. Should I worry about this?

Secondly, the birds are desperately reluctant to eat layers pellets. We follow Grannie Annies advice and feed them nothing else until afternoon but by them they are seem to be desperately hungry. They were laying well when we first got them, 2 weeks ago but now the number of eggs is tailing off.

kimT · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2009, 17:24 »

What were they fed before you got them Mikey?

The bald patch on the breast bone have you had a look to see if there are any creepy crawlies?

Roughlee Handled · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2009, 18:04 »

What is there age?
Could they be moulting?

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2009, 07:52 »

Hello kim and Rough.
The 2 chickens are about a year old. Only one has the bare patch and it is the bigger and fluffier bird.

I can see no crawlies. The bald patch is red and flakey but there is no sign of blood or injury.

The chickens and layer's mix came from the same supplier. I followed his advice on feeding so there should have been no great change in diet.

Could the patch be a natural moult?

Roughlee Handled · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2009, 08:20 »

Moult normally occurs after the first year. Normally in Autumn, I have one chicken that is moulting at the moment. Can you see the start of young quills. They are darker and vein in your body colour (because they are full of blood).

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2009, 08:45 »

What are you feeding them in the afternoons? Chickens are crafty animals and they may well wait for that if it's something they like. You won't get eggs until they start eating properly again.

I would give them nothing but layers for now. It may take a couple of days for them to eat them well but they won't starve themselves. You've got to be a bit tough with them.

Debz · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2009, 10:10 »

My stupid hens are moulting at the moment and are starting to look a right mess

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2009, 10:26 »

Hi

I have decided not to worry. But could someone confirm that the chicken will have bald patches when she moults.

There are no signs of new quills yet but I am sure they are on their way.

I have just had a thought about feeding. We have been moving the chicken run on to fresh bits of lawn on a regular basis. I guess that the would be filling up on grass.

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Should I worry?

Mikey

Should I worry?

kimT

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Roughlee Handled

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Mikey

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Roughlee Handled

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Aunt Sally

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Debz

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Mikey

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