JPchicken
Chirping
Several of our chickens are displaying naked chicken bums. They are about 7 months old, so it's possible that this is a partial molt, although we've seen some pecking and feather eating.
We have 8 hens, and they have a coop that is 4'x5', and a run that is 156' square. They spend about an hour daily free-ranging under supervision.
Two questions:
Is this a partial molt, aggressive feather pecking, or a mix?
Is it safe for these birds to be out in Massachusetts winter weather, with temperatures well below freezing? The Black Australorp is sitting in the coop all day doing nothing, but eats/ drinks/ comes to life when we bring her inside.
The EE is perfectly feathered except for the totally naked bum.
We have 8 hens, and they have a coop that is 4'x5', and a run that is 156' square. They spend about an hour daily free-ranging under supervision.
Two questions:
Is this a partial molt, aggressive feather pecking, or a mix?
Is it safe for these birds to be out in Massachusetts winter weather, with temperatures well below freezing? The Black Australorp is sitting in the coop all day doing nothing, but eats/ drinks/ comes to life when we bring her inside.
The EE is perfectly feathered except for the totally naked bum.