new to chickens

gaynormouse · « **on:** December 26, 2011, 11:27 »

hello i am quite new to keeping chickens (june 2011) and have just noticed that one of my chicken has lost its feathers just underneath its bottom. it is eating ok and otherwise looks ok any suggestions of what it is and how to help it would be appriciated thanks

joyfull · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2011, 11:36 »

it is probably moulting

alaj · « **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2011, 20:04 »

;)Happy Christmas!!
Probably moulting as was already said.
A

ANHBUC · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2011, 12:23 »

It does sound like the start of moult. If it is the only hen moulting keep an eye on bullying. We have had to separate one of ours (just during the day) as she was getting weak through not being able to get enough food and water due to bullying. She is normally quite high in the pecking order but this changes during the moult.

gaynormouse · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2011, 13:44 »

thanks don't think she is being picked on have seen her eating well so hopefully all will be ok thanks for your help :blink:

DippyChick · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2011, 22:12 »

One of my hens had a bare bum for ages till I changed the roosting - think one of the others was bored when closed in at night and was amusing herself by plucking poor Poppet's bum clean as a whistle. Swapped the roost bars and now Poppet's bloomers are back good as new.

Craig69 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2011, 09:54 »

How much room do they have?
I saw no signs of bullying, but back in June when my mother was looking after mine whilst I was moving found one of my girls dead in the hen house completely pecked to pieces.
They are now in their new run which is alot bigger which you can visually see they are happier.
One of mine has had a bald bum for ages & feathers off her chest & neck. Because of the time she has been like this I'm not sure it's a moult.
She is now getting her feathers back on her chest, but very slowly.
I'm not saying yours aren't going through a moult, but this is just what I have experienced.
Give them things to do & mess about with. Mine have a ball & a swing in their run which is quite amusing

& plenty of ground to dig about in

When to introduce young chickens to older chickens? Started by wardy on The Hen House	15 Replies 8896 Views	May 14, 2014, 21:15 by barley
chickens - do I need to keep my dog form fouling where the chickens roam Started by tracybro on The Hen House	4 Replies 4190 Views	January 17, 2011, 20:54 by Kym503
chickens attacking chickens Started by mill-owner on The Hen House	13 Replies 6721 Views	May 29, 2009, 17:26 by mill-owner
where can i get some chickens Started by torit on The Hen House	7 Replies 3335 Views	March 14, 2009, 21:06 by torit

new to chickens

gaynormouse

new to chickens

joyfull

Re: new to chickens

alaj

Re: new to chickens

ANHBUC

Re: new to chickens

gaynormouse

Re: new to chickens

DippyChick

Re: new to chickens

Craig69

Re: new to chickens

Similar Topics

When to introduce young chickens to older chickens?

chickens - do I need to keep my dog form fouling where the chickens roam

chickens attacking chickens

where can i get some chickens