[Jane-M]

Hi - a nice little White Star I have had a month has a bald tummy. When I got her she had had tail feathers pulled out, but I didn't notice anything wrong with her tummy feathers. I have picked her up quite often, but only today noticed the warm baldness! She is in no way poorly, she's cheerful active and curious. She is laying regularly - almost every day although it's hard to judge accurately as I have three and they lay identical eggs.

Why would she be pulling out her feathers? The person I had her from says that about 2-3% of his White Star flock go broody. She is about 34 weeks old. If she does go broody what are the chances of incubating successfully?

Cor - Question Central.

[Roughlee Handled]

She could be going through a partial moult.  Have you checked her over for creepy crawlies?

[Vember]

Hi Jane


Presume you have checked her over for creepy crawlies ? Rough you beat me to it

Hen's are funny creatures some will go broody at the drop of a hat, some will go broody for a couple of weeks then just give up, some will hatch then abandon  Then there are the ones who do a fantastic job

I seem to have a complete mixture of all of the above

The only way to tell is if she is broody  give her a go

Sarah

[Roughlee Handled]

oh and can you see the feathers that she is loosing? Are the chickens eating them?  Photo of the nude area may help

[Jane-M]

No evidence of spare feathers lying about, but she does have 7 pals to help her eat them up. I have been through her feathers and all looks clean down to her lovely pink skin. All their bedding is mixed with biting critter powder.

I am on my own for the next few days and getting a picture might prove tricky, but I'll give it a go! A third hand would be useful.

If she is having a bit moult will there be new quills evident in the area? Would that not put her off lay?

Okay it's just me and the camera now 

[Roughlee Handled]

It could be that they may be lacking in something.  Do they have access to oyster shell?

[andreadon]

 Photo of the nude area may help

 

[Roughlee Handled]

Here is a nude area

[too many girls]

ooh wasn't expecting that.