Yay, chickens! & a question

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Some of my layers, especially my broody layers, pluck their breast and abdominal feathers out, too.

They line the nest boxes with them because apparently the shavings I provide are insufficient for nest-making.

They seem to do it less when chicks hatch, and by the time the chicks are 6 weeks old I don't even notice the bald patches anymore.

Those that go broody and don't get to hatch out a clutch seem to stay wth a nude patch on the abdomen, but you have to move feathers to see or feel it. For me, this is a non-issue because I'm way down south, but I can see where you would be concerned.

Maybe once the snow touches their soft delicate naked belly they'll be less inclined to pull them out!
 
theuglychick said:
Some of my layers, especially my broody layers, pluck their breast and abdominal feathers out, too.

They line the nest boxes with them because apparently the shavings I provide are insufficient for nest-making.

They seem to do it less when chicks hatch, and by the time the chicks are 6 weeks old I don't even notice the bald patches anymore.

Those that go broody and don't get to hatch out a clutch seem to stay wth a nude patch on the abdomen, but you have to move feathers to see or feel it. For me, this is a non-issue because I'm way down south, but I can see where you would be concerned.

Maybe once the snow touches their soft delicate naked belly they'll be less inclined to pull them out!
Click to expand...
Hi theuglychick,
Thanks for the response. Yeah, I wasn’t too worried about over the summer and into fall. But, with winter fast approaching up here in the north I am a little worried. But, good to know some broody hens who don’t get to hatch out a clutch stay nude! Unfortunately, it’s only the three of them and no roosters. So, she won’t be getting any chicks (poor girl)!
I’m hoping a combo of higher protein, I’m using feather fixer, and snow may do the trick?! But, she’s pretty much been bald on her breast and belly since this summer :eek:
 
Can you show a pic of her nakedness???? As for her being bare chested during the winter cold, she'll be ok. I had a RIR who would do a hard molt in the middle of every winter. She'd be running around looking like a bad plucking job in the poultry meat case at my local Hannaford store. I'm wondering if there may be something else going on here. Perhaps some feather mites? Broody birds are more prone to mites b/c of their decreasing physical condition as well as them staying put in one place for so long that they are an easy target for the beasties.
 
lazy gardener said:
Can you show a pic of her nakedness???? As for her being bare chested during the winter cold, she'll be ok. I had a RIR who would do a hard molt in the middle of every winter. She'd be running around looking like a bad plucking job in the poultry meat case at my local Hannaford store. I'm wondering if there may be something else going on here. Perhaps some feather mites? Broody birds are more prone to mites b/c of their decreasing physical condition as well as them staying put in one place for so long that they are an easy target for the beasties.
Click to expand...
Hi lazy gardner,
Thanks for the reply! I will try to get a picture of it this afternoon, she’s a tenacious big girl ! When I’ve checked for mites in the past I haven’t seen any, but will check again. Good thought! She has not molted yet.
 

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