ruffled feathers...

[pixie74943]

No idea where to post this.. seems to be the opening line of all my threads


Recently noticed on my chickens that they have some feathers out of place. Running down their chest along their breast bone they have a set of feathers out of place, it almost looks like underfeathers are poking out.

Any idea why? I've tried getting pics but it doesnt show up

 

[Ridgerunner]

It is well into your winter so I would think molting might be finished, or at least past the breast feather stage, but you might check out these sites.

Out of curiosity, what are the age and breed of your chickens? From your signature I'd think they are two grown females, but just to be sure.

Mississippi State describes molting
http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html

Kansas State feather loss
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/mf2308.pdf

 

[LynneP]

It may be a mini-moult. Every now and then one or two of mine will do that. For a week or so you may get fewer eggs because of that bird, but then it returns to normal.

 

[pixie74943]

grown females indeed about halfway through winter (although its been pretty warm) and I havent seen any signs of moulting and been getting an egg a day. They've only been laying for about a month though, and very consistent for newbies I must say

 

[pixie74943]

just realised that technically my babies arent grown.. their still pullets.. little teenage babies, minus the annoying hormones

just past the 20weeks mark