bare butts

Shazzer · « **on:** January 11, 2008, 15:50 »

I have posted about my chooks and there feather loss, i had put it down to moulting, but now I'm not sure. Two of my chooks are completely bare around tere bottoms and kind of underneath as well. I cant see any new feather growth, they must be feeling the cold there. I have noticed a bit of feather pecking so I have hung up some coliflowers for them to peck. Could it be moulting?

SnooziSuzi · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2008, 17:47 »

Could they be broody?

I've heard that when they are broody they lose some feathers from underneath so that the eggs get the benefit of the chooks body heat.

Just a thought

Shazzer · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2008, 17:51 »

well although they are POL they haven't stated laying yet. I've had a closer look and they have got some new growth, but its very sparce

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2008, 18:16 »

Keep an eye out for pecking !

Shazzer · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2008, 11:16 »

3 of my chooks are definately being pecked of their feathers. I picked them all up in turn yesterday to have a good look, they are not sore but I have seen the 2 big ones pecking at their back ends and eating the fluffy feathers? Some had a little bit of scabbing in places. I did notice that two of them felt warmer than the others ( two of the victims) They all seem ok apart from that. What can I do?

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2008, 11:21 »

I would start by spraying the bare bums with purple spray (from the horsey shop).

It is an antiseptic so will prevent any infection getting in and secondly the colour will put the birds off of pecking.

DON'T GET IT ON YOUR SKIN OR CLOTHS coz you'll be purple too

Make sure the hens have something else to distract them hang up greens corn cobs even old CDs for them to peck at.

Shazzer · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2008, 11:23 »

Horsey shop? is that online, I dont' know of any horsey shops by me.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2008, 11:30 »

Quote from: "Shazzer"

Horsey shop? is that online, I dont' know of any horsey shops by me.

I mean where people with horse buy their supplies:

bucket, brushes, garlic powder (good for hens too) clothing, feed and medications.

I'm sure you can get it on line too, just google for purple spray.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2008, 11:45 »

Try here

http://www.thesaddlery.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=359

http://www.horsexpress.co.uk/purple-spray-br250ml-529-p.asp

http://www.stoneybrook.co.uk/p427005/Gold-Label-Purple-Spray.html

there's quite a few more

google search : purple spray horse

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