[ehranjohnson]

UPDATE:

Star has laid another egg.  I have (trying) attached pictures to see if anyone can tell me whats wrong with her.

----------------------------
Hui Guys,

We are dedperate for some help.

Out little white star is showing some odd signs, she appears to have a slight cold, which we know how to solve but also there seems to be alot of red washed feather around her rear and she appears to have pulled out some feathers ass her rear looks abit bald.  Any ideas, we dusted them all yesterday and also have minerals ect put in their food now.  Any other advice would be very greatfully appreciated.

Thanks




Ehran & lee

[ehranjohnson]

.

[joyfull]

There was really no need to bump your question.

Are you sure it is her that is pulling out the tail feathers and not one of your other birds?
Spray her rear end with purple spray (available from horsey places) if it is showing signs of blood as the red will attract the others and either paint her with Stockholm tar or anti peck spray.

Chickens do not get a cold like us are there any other symptoms e.g. frothy eyes, swollen sinuses, sneezing, blocked nostrils etc.

[ehranjohnson]

Only other sympton is just sneezing and the obvious, non laying.  Which we do miss out white eggs.

[joyfull]

How long is it since she last laid? How old is she? Is she moulting (they do lose their tail feathers during a full moult.
Most hens ease up over winter although some hybrids will keep laying for a couple of years non stop. Out of my 8 layers only 3 hybrids are still laying, 2 others are moulting and the other 3 are on strike for the time being. The rest of mine are too young.
Sneezing can be from a variety of things - you say you know how to treat this - what are you giving her?

[ehranjohnson]

She last layed about 3 weeks ago.  Her tail fethers are all still in tack.

Out of our 8 girls, some have stopped and 1 is still young though she is old enough to lay think she will hold off till necy year now.

We were advised to put some mineral supplement in their drink to help them.  My partner is now off to get some of that ourple spray, as her rear does look sore.  We watch then hes from the kitchen windonw they dont appear to peck ather bu t then that could change when they are locked up in the coop at night.

[joyfull]

If she is being feather pecked then you will need to stop that as birds have been known to peck each other to the end  . Do you have any beak bits? These are obtainable from the wild fowl trust at £1 for 8 inc p&p. May be wise to get some of those ordered just in case.
I would keep a close eye on her just in case.
What did you dust them with?

[ehranjohnson]

Many thanks for your help.  I have just ordered some beak bits from the wFT.  Just incase.

[ehranjohnson]

Just to let you know that after you advice yesterday, i got some purple spray, not arrived of course yet. But this morning she perked up and layed a lush white egg after 3 weeks holiday.

thanks again.

[joyfull]

thats jolly good