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Moulting, run down, being picked on, how can i help her

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by bokboklady, Oct 12, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Oct 12, 2011 #1
    bokboklady

    bokboklady Out Of The Brooder

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    As in the title, my sweetest girl evie is all mopey and sad, she is isolating herself from the other birds, moulting like crazy but not totally bald, she dosnt join in when the scratch is thrown down, she looks so unhappy, one of the other birds bullies her, when she comes near her evie just freezes for fear of being pecked, it breaks my heart as she is the sweetest bird, when i go in to clean the poo board she comes in to see me for a little chat, and i give her some little treats in secret as i dont think she is feeding with the others, last night she didnt want to roost with them, instead flew up on top of the nest box's, she seemed happier so i left her up there, is this normal behaviour when they are moulting, ?, need some advice please.
     
  3. Oct 12, 2011 #2
    BantamoftheOpera

    BantamoftheOpera Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Mine is doing the same thing. I will be curious to see the replies of others.
     
  5. Oct 12, 2011 #3
    Animalian

    Animalian Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Jun 18, 2011
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    a bad moult could make her a little weaker. Maybe the other hens are taking advantage of that to push her down in the pecking order.

    Feed her some flaxseeds and some meat, cos omega oils and protein are good for re-growing feathers!
     
  7. Oct 12, 2011 #4
    WoodlandWoman

    WoodlandWoman Overrun With Chickens

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    Sometimes one of mine will get bullied a bit when they're having a hard molt. They look smaller, as well as looking different. They stay out of the way a little more, until their feathers grow back in. I feed a bit more protein to help the feathers grow in a little faster.

    You could add a second feeder for her or just feed her separately every day. A simple bowl works. Make sure she has access to water and isn't being bullied away from that, too. When I feed scratch, I toss it in a really wide area, so the chicken at the bottom of the social order can get some, too.
     
  9. Oct 12, 2011 #5
    bokboklady

    bokboklady Out Of The Brooder

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    Sep 8, 2010
    thanks for all the input folks, i have been keeping an eye on her, shes still mooching about on her own, i was outside just now doing some repairs and the other birds were having a rest on a log and evie stood alone, breaks my heart, bless her
     

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