Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: alisonwo on June 01, 2010, 21:17

Title: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: alisonwo on June 01, 2010, 21:17

Two of my eight girls have lost feathers around their throat area. I thought it was the start of the moult but my book says they start losing from the back of the head first then down the back.  The girls have been like this for the past month or so, they seem fine otherwise, are still laying eating and drinking no problem.  I painted the area with violet wotsit as I did see one of the others pecking at it one day, but it doesn't seem overly red or sore.  any ideas anyone??

Title: Re: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: joyfull on June 01, 2010, 22:34

do you have any wire mesh that they are poking their heads through?

Title: Re: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: smallholder2010 on June 01, 2010, 23:00

cockrel treading the to much ?

Title: Re: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: joyfull on June 01, 2010, 23:01

Quote from: smallholder2010 on June 01, 2010, 23:00

cockrel treading the to much ?

what on their throat?

Title: Re: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: GrannieAnnie on June 01, 2010, 23:12

perhaps he lays on his back Joy??   :lol: :lol:

Title: Re: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: joyfull on June 01, 2010, 23:24

 :lol: :lol:

Title: Re: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: smallholder2010 on June 01, 2010, 23:25

thats it the giggles on me lol.   i read it fast i thought it said head and back lol...  maybe hes trying a diffrent possision lol who knows lol

Title: Re: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: GrannieAnnie on June 01, 2010, 23:49

See, told you!  he does it on his back!!!    :D :D

Sorry SM, we are all a bit nuts around here!!!   8) ??? ::) :blink: :unsure: :wub: :wacko: :nowink:

Title: Re: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: compostqueen on June 02, 2010, 00:13

It's where they get too close to the wire. Mind jump at their gate trying to get out in the morning and it ruffles their chest feathers. I don't like to see it as it looks like they're neglected so I tell them off and that they look like waifs and strays. Do they listen  :nowink:

Title: Re: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: GrannieAnnie on June 02, 2010, 00:16

My Light Sussex has a bare throat, but he can't get his head through the chicken wire.  I think it's where he is a bit rough when he treads his girls as 3 of them have bare backs, and they get him back when they are in bed!  They peck his throat!!!   :D :D

Title: Re: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: joyfull on June 02, 2010, 07:45

just remember Annie not to leave a knife in their house  :ohmy:  :lol: :lol:

Title: Re: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: donbinghamster on June 03, 2010, 09:39

Sorry been away a few days so did not reply.  Do not have cockerel so nobody treading the girls and husband denies he does lol.  The wire has fairly large holes its not chicken wire, but that could be a reason I suppose, it looks a bit red and sore so I do wonder if the others are having a go at it when I don't see, perhaps more of the gentian violet or maybe vaseline would help?  any ideas

Title: Re: Lost feathers on chest
Post by: joyfull on June 03, 2010, 10:24

try it and see - the soreness could be from feather pecking or the wire.