- Mar 25, 2009
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I had a hen with a bare back a couple weeks ago who is now in hospital. The day I brought her in I noticed that she was red on the bare spot, but not bloodied. I thought it was picking at the time.
Now I have another hen who I just noticed was going bare today -- clearly, though, whatever is causing it has been happening for a bit, because she has what looked to be scabbing-over scratches. Now I'm thinking more in the line of rooster damage, because obviously nobody's picking her wounds open (or they wouldn't look like they did, which is nasty, but at least closed up).
So how do I tell if it's picking as opposed to Rooster? Are there any signatures of either? He's not even old enough to have real spurs, but his nails are sharp. He doesn't appear to be real nasty about mating like I was afraid he was going to be, but he is big, and heavy, and awkward. He doesn't appear to be ripping their heads or combs any more -- I think he's figured out his balance better.
Now I have another hen who I just noticed was going bare today -- clearly, though, whatever is causing it has been happening for a bit, because she has what looked to be scabbing-over scratches. Now I'm thinking more in the line of rooster damage, because obviously nobody's picking her wounds open (or they wouldn't look like they did, which is nasty, but at least closed up).
So how do I tell if it's picking as opposed to Rooster? Are there any signatures of either? He's not even old enough to have real spurs, but his nails are sharp. He doesn't appear to be real nasty about mating like I was afraid he was going to be, but he is big, and heavy, and awkward. He doesn't appear to be ripping their heads or combs any more -- I think he's figured out his balance better.
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