I have three Black Australorp pullets who are 7.5 months old. One of them isn't laying now, and I thought it was because of the waning hours of daylight. Today, I noticed her head had shrunk.
Well, no, it didn't. She's lost feathers around the sides of her neck by her head. I never saw bare skin, but now I see pin feathers there. She has also lost the upright "flag" part of her tail. Her comb and wattles are smaller and paler as well. The other two are still laying, but less; about every other day, with an occasional two in a row. They haven't lost feathers like the first one.
Will the first one start laying again after the feathers regrow, or is she done till spring? Will she lose more feathers? Can I expect this to happen to the other girls?
I feed 20% flock with OS and egg shell on the side because I have a cockerel. I try to keep treats limited to greens, some vegetables, melon and squash guts with seeds, and BOSS.
Well, no, it didn't. She's lost feathers around the sides of her neck by her head. I never saw bare skin, but now I see pin feathers there. She has also lost the upright "flag" part of her tail. Her comb and wattles are smaller and paler as well. The other two are still laying, but less; about every other day, with an occasional two in a row. They haven't lost feathers like the first one.
Will the first one start laying again after the feathers regrow, or is she done till spring? Will she lose more feathers? Can I expect this to happen to the other girls?
I feed 20% flock with OS and egg shell on the side because I have a cockerel. I try to keep treats limited to greens, some vegetables, melon and squash guts with seeds, and BOSS.
