feather loss

chickenet · « **on:** August 28, 2009, 20:55 »

Hi all , i have a problem with my feathered friends , or should i say non feathered ! My chickens have lost their feathers from mid body to backside and can't seem to grow them back . They look like oven ready chickens . They are laying ok and all other signs are healthy . Can anybody shed any light ?

karlooben · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2009, 20:57 »

hi there ,i wsh i could help you but i kinda have that prob with one of my ex batts . i temtped to get my girl a jumper of t shirt ready for the winter months

p.s welcome to the forum

chickenlady · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2009, 21:11 »

Has this happened just recently or has it been like this for a while? it is the season for moults to start but if they have been a bit bald for a while mites or lice could be the reason or even feather pecking by the other hens!

Debbie

Brambles · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2009, 21:23 »

A few months ago I had this problem with one of my girls, a Black Rock. She lost all her beautiful feathers and looked just ready for basting! It was all due to my Rescue hen who adored the taste of her feathers

I tried everything... in the end I had to separate the Rescue hen (Bertha) ... now she is perfectly happy on her own, with no fear of anyone getting her food before her! and the Black Rock (Lupin) has her beauty back again and everyone is happy. It was only Lupin that was plucked, Bertha is totally at ease now in her own home by herself

Foxy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2009, 21:38 »

Well a lot depends on their age and enviroment, is this a full moult? or as others suggest due to other factors. The fact they are laying is not necessarily a good thing, as it means that all the energy and nutrients from their diet are not going going into producing feathers but egg-laying. Check for creepy crawlies and behavioural problems, boredom causing featherpecking.
You could supplement their diet with Poultry Spice (a mineral suppl.)plus a teaspoon of cod liver oil mixed into pellets. Avoid treats like mixed corn,bread, pasta for the time being as they offer nothing in terms of nutritional value. Hanging veggies,if in a run without grass access is a good idea.

karlooben · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2009, 21:45 »

but my girl has been almost bald since i have had her and thats a year now ,. i need to try and get a pic of her .

chickenet · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2009, 20:09 »

Thanks to all who replied

. Some of the things suggested i've already put into action , but if anybody knows where i can get jumers that would be great

. I will try dusting and perhaps the cod liver oil and will pass on the results .

bexy · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2009, 07:56 »

Pattern for Knitted Hen Jacket
Materials

Double knitting yarn (100g makes approximately 3 jumpers)

2 buttons or 10cm Velcro

1 pair of number 8 (4mm) knitting needles

4mm crochet hook

Knitted in stocking stitch with garter stitch borders

Cast on 41 sts,

Work 4 rows K
Increase for tabs;
Cast on 10 sts at beginning of next row, k14, p to last 4 sts, k4.
Cast on 10 sts at beginning of next row, k14, p to last 14sts, k14.

Work buttonholes; (work these 2 rows straight if using Velcro).

(K2, yf k2tog) 3 times, work to end keeping edges in garter st.
Repeat this row for buttonholes on the other tab.
Cast off 10 sts at beginning of next row.
Next row � cast off 10 sts, k4, p2 tog, p to last 6 sts, p2tog, k4.
Dec 1 st at each end on every fol 6th row until 25 sts remain.

Divide for neck;
Work 11 sts, cast off 3, work to end � complete this half first.
1) k4, p to end
2) cast off 2, k to end
3) k4, p to end
4) k2tog, k to end
5) k4, p2tog, p to end
Work 4 rows straight
10) K to last 5 sts, inc in next st, k4.
11) K4, p to last st, inc in next st.
12) Cast on 2 sts, k to end, (11sts)
13) K4, p to end
14) K
Break yarn and rejoin to the other side of neck.
Work to match, reversing shaping�s and ending at winghole edge.
Next row � k, cast on 3, k across sts from other side of neck.
Next row , k4 inc in next st, p to last 5 sts, inc in next st, k4.
Inc 1 st at each end of every fol 6th row until there are 41 sts on the needle.
Work 6 rows straight.
Change to gst and knit 4 rows.
Cast off.
Sew on buttons or Velcro as desired.
Work double crochet around neck.

chickenet · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2009, 14:53 »

Thanks bexy , i had no idea that such things existed . I must say that it brought a smile to my face , i am not sure that i will try to create such a master piece , but who knows the winter is coming .

chickenet · « **Reply #9 on:** September 05, 2009, 20:40 »

Hi all , just an update on my featherless girls . I have mixed some cod liver oil into their feed and this seems to be working !

Next problem , the largest hen has taken a fancy to them

and so i've moved her to a seperate coop .

shargi59 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 07, 2009, 10:39 »

I've just laughed so much at the chickens in their sweaters, it's the funniest thing. I am so proud to be British and love our animals like we do.
I'm going to see if my nana can make my poor chicken a scarf and hat as she has lost her feathers round her neck and head.

bexy · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2009, 13:32 »

you need a long neck balaclava with a slit in the top

Flowerpower136 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2009, 14:33 »

Bexy, re the chicken jumper, might need one of these for Tilly the Hun. Everyone else is growing loads of feathers, they look like porcupines at the moment they've so many quills coming through, but not her, and she is the one lacking most. They might grow in time, but worried about the worst of winter, we're high up and when the forecast says snow on hills, it means us.

Can understand the knitting pattern, but not sure about how the erm.......garment is worn

The hole is for the neck? or is it?

In the picture, the tabbed end seem to fasten round the neck, leaving the middle hole for ...............the tail :blink:? Can that be right? that would mean the vent was covered..........can't be right. Am I looking at it wrong.

Is it a joke really? Have I been had

She blinked when I took the pic, nothing wrong with her beady little eyes, just the lack of an overcoat.

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