Feathers loss

[krasic]

Hi,
I hope somebody will be able to guide me what to do so I can cure a feather loss that has
made my rooster & some Hens look like they belong to a nudist camp.
Please help

 

[AndystUK]

Loss of Feathers Generally, summary of reasons why:-

a.) Moult (natural and annual event) brought on by heat, stress, excessive treading
b.) Over heating ( heat can cause moulting - offer shade and shaded dust baths )
c.) Feather pecking ( bored chickens do this, try hanging cabbage on string so they jump for their meal )
d.) Mite infestation ( treat with a good insecticide like 'Smite' available from Ebay
e.) Nutritional deficiencies ( protein missing in the diet, Feather eating as an indicator ) rectify by feeding chickens Turkey Growers

Hope this helps, who knew!

 

[Ridgerunner]

You did not mention age of your chickens. Chicks go through two juvenile molts before they reach adult size. They just outgrow their feathers and need to grow new ones. Mine are going through their second juvenile molt right now. They don’t look that bad but there are feathers everywhere.

If you are south of the equator where you are approaching your winter and the days are getting shorter it is probably just a molt.

If those two cases don’t cover it, you do need to investigate.

Good luck!

 

[krasic]

Thank you for quick response. I hope you can clarify few questions for me.
1.fresh cabbage on string???
2.what is excessive treading???
3.Turkey growers-is that type of food or name for it ????
Thanks K.

 

[AndystUK]

Hi no problems I will Clarify:-


1.fresh cabbage on string???
This is a mean or method to keep the hens busy. You can hang 'Green vegetables' just so they can reach by neck streaching. or what i do is to push a cabbage onto a stiff steel bar and push into the ground, this give the chickens a clean cabbage to peck at.

2.what is excessive treading???
Treading is the term used when they mate. The term is derived due to the rooster 'treading on top of the hen'

3.Turkey growers-is that type of food or name for it ????
Turkey Growers is a trade name for a feed very similar to Layers Pellets. It has a high Protein level and aids there body mass increase. Turkey Growers use this to fatten turkeys. There is no problem feeding it to hens.


Hope this helps
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[krasic]

Hi ,thanks for your info, I wonder how long is going to take before they start growing new feathers ?? My rooster & few hens look like they are ready for cooking pot.