Battling hens!

[Wyorp Rock]

So this morning there are 3 each of food and water stations. Henneth had to be encouraged to come out. It didn't last long. The other Barred Rock, Petra, decided to attack and chase her so she ran back in. We shall see how the day unfolds.

Well if that continues, then you may need to cage Henneth so she can eat/drink in peace. Cryss, what do you feed? While it's not that unusual for a chicken to molt "early". I do wonder about Henneth molting at just 41weeks. There are no absolutes in the chicken world, but "most" birds go through an annual molt at 16-18 months of age.

Have you looked at Henneth to see if she has new pin feathers coming in and she is not being plucked?

 

[Cryss]

Well if that continues, then you may need to cage Henneth so she can eat/drink in peace. Cryss, what do you feed? While it's not that unusual for a chicken to molt "early". I do wonder about Henneth molting at just 41weeks. There are no absolutes in the chicken world, but "most" birds go through an annual molt at 16-18 months of age.

Have you looked at Henneth to see if she has new pin feathers coming in and she is not being plucked?

Oh she was definitely getting plucked.
Good news...she has come out of the coop this afternoon! Shes not exactly joining the flock but she is out.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh she was definitely getting plucked.
Good news...she has come out of the coop this afternoon! Shes not exactly joining the flock but she is out.

But is she molting too?

 

[Cryss]

Oh, and i feed them purina start and grow with side dishes of both grit and oyster shell. They get kitchen scraps and of course a couple handfuls of scratch type snacks several times a week. I have to admit I didnt know when to stop using the medicated formula. That changed about a month or so ago..

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

How long has Fraggle and Henneth been living together? Did you introduce them at the same time?

 

[Cryss]

But is she molting too?

Another admission. I don't know how to tell the difference between that and plucking. She only started looking this featherless when the battles began.
Roopecca has definitely been molting. He turned 1 year old on October 1st. He is getting pin feathers growing on his neck easily visible.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh, and i feed them purina start and grow with side dishes of both grit and oyster shell. They get kitchen scraps and of course a couple handfuls of scratch type snacks several times a week. I have to admit I didnt know when to stop using the medicated formula. That changed about a month or so ago..

Another admission. I don't know how to tell the difference between that and plucking. She only started looking this featherless when the battles began.
Roopecca has definitely been molting. He turned 1 year old on October 1st. He is getting pin feathers growing on his neck easily visible.

Feed sounds fine to me. I use Chick Starter when Flock Raiser is not available.
Depends on how big those handfuls are though....too many extras dilute the nutritional content of what you are feeding. Scratch makes fat hens too, so just keep in mind how much you are giving.

Gently get a hold of Henneth and look through her feathers. If she has mostly pin feathers coming in, then she molting. If there are a lot of broken feathers or intact feather shafts in the skin, then she's being plucked.

Since Roopecca is molting, you can compare him to her as far as what to look for in feather growth.

 

[Cryss]

How long has Fraggle and Henneth been living together? Did you introduce them at the same time?

Ok lets see. Wynnie and Henneth were hatched January 19. Fraggle and Petra were hatched March 6. I bought my birds at about 4 weeks old each time and kept them separated but in view using a dog cage each time. I have never had any problems with integration. Yet. So that means they have been together for just about 6.5 months. Fraggle and Petra are the youngest of my flock.

 

[Cryss]

Feed sounds fine to me. I use Chick Starter when Flock Raiser is not available.
Depends on how big those handfuls are though....too many extras dilute the nutritional content of what you are feeding. Scratch makes fat hens too, so just keep in mind how much you are giving.

Gently get a hold of Henneth and look through her feathers. If she has mostly pin feathers coming in, then she molting. If there are a lot of broken feathers or intact feather shafts in the skin, then she's being plucked.

Since Roopecca is molting, you can compare him to her as far as what to look for in feather growth.

Thank you. So now my question is why is Roopecca molting if he is only 12 months old?

 

[Cryss]

And, once I know whether it's molt or plucking is there something I should do for her? I assume I do nothing for molting.