Moult

[milbert]

Hi,

I have 2 Black Rocks and a rhode rock, the 2 BR have gone all scruffy and fluffy feathered, I assume this is the moult. The RR is as normal and doesn't appear to be moulting. The one BR has gone completely bald around it's crop/chest area, and the RR, although not hurting her, keeps pecking out her feathers and I'm not sure if this is normal behaviour or if I should be concerned about it. Is there anything I can do to help the moulters or/and stop Betty from pecking out their feathers?
They have ACV and Lifeguard regularly in their water.

Thanks

 

[Sue]

I'm sure other more experienced forum members than me will answer this better, but I didn't think they moulted at this time of year, I thought it was the autumn.

Could they have lice or mites Milbert or have you treated/checked them for this? If it's not this then I would spray them with anti pecking spray to stop the other hen pulling out the feathers, as this could lead to blood being drawn and then you will have a more serious problem or worse! It's not normal behaviour for one hen to be pulling out the feathers of another. Could the hen doing the pulling feathers be bored? Have they got lots of room and things to keep them occupied? Just a few thoughts, but as I said I'm sure others will come up with other ideas/solutions.

 

[karminski]

i have a few birds that are showing signs of a moult even if it is the wrong time of the year the weather is so up and down at the mo that i dont think even the birds know whats going on, but i do have one thats as bald as anything from her wattles down to her belly and i cant work her out as shes been like that for some time now but mine dont have lice they do feather peck very slighty but i have never seen them pull out feathers .

 

[Chuck]

This is not the usual time for moulting but some do and I have one here in a very heavy moult. They can also go into a partial moult where they drop and re-grow some feathers. From your description, even if they are in a moult you have feather pecking going on which I'm afraid is one of the several vices that occur. My belief is that it usually starts with boredom or because they are in too confined a space. Others say that it's dietary and a shortage of protein. As most chickens are on a satisfactory level of protein and still start to feather peck, I can see no logic in this explanation. Furthermore, they do not always eat the feathers that are pulled.
I'd keep an eye, as has been said, to make sure no blood is drawn or the situation becomes much worse. I'd look to see if there are any new feathers coming through and if not, assume that it's feather pecking and apply Net Tex anti peck spray on the bald patch and on the feathers surrounding the bald areas as these are the next feathers to be pulled. It's smelly and sticky but I've always found it to be effective and don't be sparing with it.

 

[chrismahon]

As Chuck says but will add ref Sue's point that we had some losing feathers from the neck and head areas last year which was head lice. Solitary fast moving little critters they burrow into the feather quills and suck the blood out. Very painful and the victim welcomes other hens, who can see the things moving around, pulling the infected feathers out. Treated with Frontline spray as nothing milder worked. Dosed at 3-4 sprays per kg bodyweight. Had about 8 cases and only two needed secondary treatment because my estimate of the body weight was in error and the Frontline dose was too low.

Just had a Crested Cream Legbar lose her crest. Thought it was the same problem, but then the feathers grew again so must be a mini-moult. Same with a Wyandotte on her neck -pile of feathers on the floor.

 

[milbert]

Thanks guys, do check regularly for lice etc as luckily all three are pretty easy to handle and I don't think it's that. They have a plenty large enough run but maybe not enough to do in it, perhaps they need some extra stimulation in there to occupy them? I will get some anti pecking stuff just in case she's being harrased by RR. Thanks again.