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Post by debbiem on Aug 19, 2008 10:02:40 GMT 1
And how! I've never had any hens moulting like this lot! I left a shed open for the hens to stay in the dry yesterday. I walked in there and panicked as there were so many Speckled Sussex feathers on the ground I thought we'd had a fox attack! But no, it's just them moulting - feathers are everywhere! I take it that this is perfectly normal - I can't ever remember a moult like this!  I'm hoping that since the Speckleds have been pecked and have lost feathers in some places all these excess feathers everywhere might make the feather peckers lose interest in pecking any more out............a long shot I know. :  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 19, 2008 10:09:21 GMT 1
And how! I've never had any hens moulting like this lot! I left a shed open for the hens to stay in the dry yesterday. I walked in there and panicked as there were so many Speckled Sussex feathers on the ground I thought we'd had a fox attack! But no, it's just them moulting - feathers are everywhere! I take it that this is perfectly normal - I can't ever remember a moult like this! I'm hoping that since the Speckleds have been pecked and have lost feathers in some places all these excess feathers everywhere might make the feather peckers lose interest in pecking any more out............a long shot I know. : It's a scary sight isn't it? The first it happened to my chickens I thought exactly the same and went round accounting for them, so convinced was I that a fox had got one... But it's perfectly normal - especially as this is their first moult so they will be going for it....and no eggs usually while it's going on either. They look terrible for a few weeks....and this is quite early...I wonder if that's a sign of a harsh winter to come... |
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Post by debbiem on Aug 19, 2008 10:22:24 GMT 1
I wonder? And the Speckleds have stopped laying with the only eggs coming from Hazel the Welsummer and the two Copper Marans, or maybe one Copper Maran as I'm not sure whether Pearl's sarted laying again. they're leaving quite a few feathers around themselves but nothing like the Speckleds! Thanks 4P, you've put my mind at rest, but what a grisly sight it was finding so many all in one place! Poor Pearl, she looked ragbaggy enough after being broody and hogging the best spot for months. She had a few of her neck feathers pecked out by the other indignant hens while she hung on to her space but moulting on the top of that she's a really tatty sight, and with her lopsided comb too - bless!  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 19, 2008 10:36:25 GMT 1
Have you tried that Poultry Spice conditioner? It's supposed to be good for helping them get back into condition. Iused it occasionally but it was hard to tell if it did any good...  |
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Post by debbiem on Aug 19, 2008 10:55:40 GMT 1
I might get some - wasn't it Emsey or Debi who bought some on eBay ages ago?  |
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Post by debbiem on Aug 19, 2008 10:56:42 GMT 1
I could always put a clove of garlic in their water container - I haven't been doing that lately.....
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Post by emseypop on Aug 19, 2008 11:31:36 GMT 1
Yes, I bought poultry spice on ebay, I gave it the girls for about 6 weeks, then took them off it, I give them what I've got left as the weather starts getting colder to build them up again. I noticed the other day Edna is being pecked, she has a red bottom, and red wings bless her, she always has been the scrawniest. I chased her round with the cornflower. I think a change in routine while I was away was the culprit. Not noticed any moulting really try the garlic it cant hurt, isn't cider vinegar supposed to be good too? Debi like to give her hens sunflower hearts and I think her girls feathers to look sleeker than my ladies. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Aug 19, 2008 11:43:04 GMT 1
Yes I give sunflower hearts to Hilda when the weather starts to get cold at night. She loves them but she has to be quick as all the other birds flock for them too. |
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Post by debbiem on Aug 20, 2008 7:45:15 GMT 1
Thanks I'll get some sunflower seeds. My chickens have bare red spots in various places - it's a nasty habit they've developed. Even when they're sitting chilled out next to me in the garden one of them will sit next to another one and pull a few of their feathers out, and the other one just sits there letting them! I'm hoping that it'll just stop - I'm keeping an eye on it and it certainly isn't getting any worse or nasty enough to have to treat. It all dies down and then it starts again but it's the best it's been for ages atm.......
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Post by emseypop on Aug 20, 2008 8:24:52 GMT 1
Debis got some of that blue anti peck spay too, does it work Debi? DEBI?
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Post by debbiem on Aug 20, 2008 8:33:29 GMT 1
Debi? I'd love to know if it does work. I've heard of purple stuff that you put on the red patches and it disguises the red so the chickens aren't attracted to the area for more pecking, is that the same thing? I'd love to know if it's any good. |
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