Damaged Feathers

[gander007]

 

[Cooper Farms]

A lot of the stuff I have read it that hybrids have weaker feathers that might be what is going on. Then how many hens/Roos do u have and now there prob not going out as much in the winter I seperate hens cause I too live in iowa and they r locked in the coop when realy cold

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Interesting. I made a saddle for one of my chickens this morning. Fits well and am very thankful the rooster didn't attack it. I put something ( I don't remember what) on one of "his" chickens and he attacked it until it came off. He just alarm called at this one. I stuck around to make sure it fit well, the rooster was okay with it, and the others weren't pecking at it. So far so good. The wearer is preening like crazy, but it fits fine I think.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Is there a certain type of fabric that is best? I have either flannel or fleece on her...not sure which.

 

[Stewarts]

Flannel and Fleece seems to work fine, I used a heavier blanket that I had on hand. All I can say is to spend time with them, watching their behaviors. That should give some clues as to what's going on.

 

[Rach123]

Would anybody know how to prevent tail and wing feathers fraying? My girls aren't bothered by my roo (yet) he's only a baby, so its not that, just the tips of their tail feathers fray? Most annoying as they are in good condition to show right now if they're tails weren't damaged

 

[Vbrown71]

hello I am having the same Problem with one of my Aracuna's I tried to crochet a saddle and my Roo when nuts and kept trying to rip it of her any suggests

 

[mymilliefleur]

It looks to me like your hens just haven't molted yet. the one in the last picture that looks really nice, clearly has. If your hens are good layers they may just be putting a lot of energy into molting and not into their feathers. If this is the case they'll look fine after they molt. You may well have a feather picker like some of the other posters suggested. It also could be possible for rats to chew the feathers off, but I find that unlikely if they are sleeping up on roosts.