Pin feather cases

[rick]

Not sure if we have a problem here or not as we haven't had a moult to this extent before. The feather sheaths are still attached at the bottom and have been like that for several days. Around the neck - the effect is like a soux Indian head-dress.
I read somewhere that the feathers is ruined if the sheath stays on too long but what is too long?
So tempting to see if I can loosen them but worried about the consequences of messing about where not needed. Is it normal?

 

[dinosaw]

Yes it is normal Rick, leave those feathers alone!

 

[rick]

Thanks again, that’s reassuring! I cant for the life of me think why nature would have it that when a chicken gets seriously ill it moults - in the middle of winter! I’ve seen pictures of it but its quite a surprise seeing it happen for real. Also having to pick up as many as I can because I’ve caught Aerial a couple of times trying to eat them. A chickens life strategy seems to be lay lots of eggs before you do something silly!