[carole53]

Hi, newbie here, am worried sick, i have eight hens, all different varieties, but two of my red ? Sussex have lost a lot of feathers from the lower back to over the bottom area, all that i can see is what looks like down type feathers, and this morning i notice that one has some red patches on her skin, can anyone help me to know what the problem is, it's not affecting any of the others, any help would be appreciated,thanks

[Vember]

Hi carole

Welcome to the Hen House

It could be that they are moulting, how old are they?
They're not getting picked on by the others?

Are they ok apart from this? Laying etc...
Might be an idea to check for any creepy crawlies, especially round the vent area

Sarah

[carole53]

thanks so much for the reply, they are about 9 months old, and eating and laying well, i get anywhere between 5 - 8 eggs a day, but they seem to have had this since before Christmas and didn't think they moulted for so long, will see if i can pick them up later and have a look for creepy crawlies, thanks

[shiatsusu]

My sister's chooks have been moulting since Christmas- she says they look like hedgehogs now 

[shiatsusu]

ps I just found this thought it might be of interest to you carole, if it is moult that is 

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/217/moulting-a-natural-process