- Jan 25, 2009
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I have two healthy 1 year old Australorps, Mary and Cass. We did have three, but lost our youngest just a few weeks ago
Since then, Cass, one of the remaining chooks has developed wee bald patches behind her ears...not bigger than 1 pence pieces or for those across the water, I suppose a cent?!
Anyway, they don't ever seem agressive toward eachother, they are both the same size and it's hard to tell who is the boss - although I'm sure one of them must naturally be a bit more bossy than the other and be the Alpha (?)
The bald bits don't seem red, inflamed or itchy in any way. I can see to the skin and there are no feathers in the area. The patches are pretty much identical in size and location - on both sides of Cass's head. On two occasions, Cass has appeared in the morning with spiky feathers - like they've been gelled with saliva...
If this is a case of Mary pecking at Cass's head (the thought seems quite dreadful), could it just be a night time when we've put them to bed? As we've never witnessed physical fighting between them. Would it be an idea to separate them at night time, but so they can still see eachother, maybe with mesh?
Or is this a skin irritation, in which case is there a basic cream or ointment or remedy I could try?
Thoughts and comments welcome!
Many ta's, charpcharp
Anyway, they don't ever seem agressive toward eachother, they are both the same size and it's hard to tell who is the boss - although I'm sure one of them must naturally be a bit more bossy than the other and be the Alpha (?)
The bald bits don't seem red, inflamed or itchy in any way. I can see to the skin and there are no feathers in the area. The patches are pretty much identical in size and location - on both sides of Cass's head. On two occasions, Cass has appeared in the morning with spiky feathers - like they've been gelled with saliva...
If this is a case of Mary pecking at Cass's head (the thought seems quite dreadful), could it just be a night time when we've put them to bed? As we've never witnessed physical fighting between them. Would it be an idea to separate them at night time, but so they can still see eachother, maybe with mesh?
Or is this a skin irritation, in which case is there a basic cream or ointment or remedy I could try?
Thoughts and comments welcome!
Many ta's, charpcharp
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