Moulting or plucking?

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symonep

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Moulting or plucking?
« on: December 13, 2012, 07:04 »
For the last few days the coop has been covered in white feathers, at first I just presumed one of my old girls was moulting but now I am wondering if she or one of the others is plucking her as her back is getting bald!

I haven't seen any plucking her as she is top bird currently but she is coming up for 4 I think now. They have had 2 new birds introduced in the last few weeks and one is a cockerel so could that have affected her?
It's too cold to be bald!
Gained an allotment on the 19th June 08, 135ft by 40ft! eekk. Finally after 4 years it is looking like an allotment and not a jungle

We have 5 lovely hens in the garden, fish, 2 dogs and 2 canaries

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joyfull

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Re: Moulting or plucking?
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2012, 08:43 »
she will be moulting - this is their normal time to do so.
Staffies are softer than you think.

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JaK

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Re: Moulting or plucking?
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2012, 11:38 »
Some hens do drop their feathers all at once and have to live with the 'oven ready' look for a little while. She will soon look gorgeous with her lovely new feather coat on.  ;)

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ANHBUC

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Re: Moulting or plucking?
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2012, 17:47 »
I know which of mine are moulting by picking them up and I usually end up covered in feathers.  You will also feel the new quills coming through which may not happen if they have been pecked/plucked out.   :blink:
Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens!
Bagpuss RIP 1992 - June 2012, 1 huge grass carp (RIP "Jaws" July 2001 - December 2011), 4 golden orfe, 1 goldfish and 1 fantail fish (also huge)! plus 4 Italian quail, 1 Japanese quail, 1 Rosetta quail.

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symonep

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Re: Moulting or plucking?
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2012, 21:17 »
Ok thanks, in the 4 years we have had chooks this is the first time any of them have moulted! She now has a huge bald stripe down her back!
I did wonder if she was a little stressed since the 2 new chicks, one of which was a cockerel, moved in with them. But they have gone to their new home today so maybe if she was stressed she will feel a bit better

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Sassy

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Re: Moulting or plucking?
« Reply #5 on: December 14, 2012, 09:08 »
They will have moulted before but just in not as noticeable a way. It is disconcerting when the weather is very cold and they develop sometimes very large featherless areas! ::)
Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted!!

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symonep

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Re: Moulting or plucking?
« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2012, 19:16 »
You would have though they would wait until it was warm until they moulted!



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