Losing tail feathers

[Sue]

My 9 month old crested cream legbar has lost most of her tail feathers. She has been losing them daily for about a week and also some smaller feathers. She doesn't seem to be losing many from her body and so it doesn't seem to be the start of a full moult (although I wouldn't really know as these are my first birds!) My question is - is this the start of her moulding? Is she the right age to start a moult? If it's not likely to be a moult, what could it be? She's dusted regularly for mites/lice and can't find anything on her. She started losing the feathers straight after a few days of being broody.

 

[bantiekeeper]

Hi Sue,
Sounds like a moult. Not unusual to do this following a broody spell. The feathers are replaced gradually in sequence over a period of time. This enables the hen to maintain the ability to flee from predators. She will not lay usually while the moult is in progress as all the protein is going into producing the new feathers. Feed her with some dried mealworms to help keep her protein intake up a bit.Hope this helps.

 

[Sue]

Thanks bantiekeeper. She is actually laying most days at the moment. Is this because she's still losing feathers and not growing any back yet? Is it the tail feathers they lose first or does it vary from bird to bird?

 

[Marigold]

You might also give her cod liver oil and poultry vitamins to help her through her moult. The CLO will help her regrow her feathers, and the supplements will enable her to cope with the demands of laying as well.

 

[bantiekeeper]

Hi Sue, I believe there is some sort of sequence with the moult but my Columbian dotte maggie is moulting at the moment and I have seen a lot of soft downy feathers and also wing and tail so maybe they do there own thing! :roll:

 

[Sue]

Thanks everyone, I am already giving her multi vits after losing some weight being broody, so will get some CLO. How much should I give her and do I mix it into the pellets?