the 2 larger, of my 5 hens have completely bald backs. The rest of the body is fine apart from one being scraggy around the neck. My suspicions fall on the cockerel as the cause, the smaller hens are not affected but they don't receive the same amount of 'attention'! Does anybody recommend trimming his nails to prevent further damage or does he have to go as I can't have my hens featherless through the winter?
2006-08-16 12:44:24 · 14 answers · asked by Autumn Breeze 5 in Pets ➔ Birds
It's completely different to molting and very unlikely to be mites (the smaller hens are not affected) as it would have spread - and I dust against mites anyway.
The bare patch is square with clearly defined edges. Unless I have artistic hens that know shapes - the feathers are not being plucked out by the others. Any other ideas please?
2006-08-17 00:29:49 · update #1
I've seen this in my own flock. Sometimes roosters have their favorite ladies, and their feathers take a real beating as a result of the additional mating activity. Clipping his spurs and nails might help, but more than likely the damage will continue. It can take a long time for the hens' feathers to fully go through a molt cycle and completely grow back, so they'll be exposed for quite a while. Not only that, but the other hens can start featherpicking and continue the damage by attacking any bloody/raw/bare spots, or pull blood feathers as they grow in & do a lot of damage.
You can either add additional hens to the flock (giving him a choice so he can spread his affections around a bit), or cull him out entirely if you're not planning to breed/raise chicks. Or, you can try replacing him with another rooster.
Remember that roosters are NOT necessary for a hen to lay eggs- she'll lay just fine without him. (I mention this only because a suprisingly large number of people think hens must mate with the rooster daily in order to lay eggs.)
2006-08-17 08:24:47 · answer #1 · answered by champloo4unme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably two contributing factors, one at this time of year all birds go through a natural moult when they replace old and worn feathers with new and shiny ones. Also your cockerel sound like he is trying to service all the hens and he will stand on their backs to do this holding on to the head feathers with his beak. Try cageing him seperatley for a month or six weeks to let your hens recover and to give him a rest. He may be slightly noisier while he is away from his harem.
I ama country boy and kept chickens as a teenager. I now own a pet store
2006-08-17 00:26:27 · answer #2 · answered by stevehart53 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of times when birds lose their feathers it is because either they themselves or other birds around it are pulling them out. I don't believe that trimming the roosters nails will do any good. I would actually keep a closer eye on the other hens. It may be that since they are receiving less attention they are fighting for the right for it.
2006-08-16 12:57:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could keep the cockerel out of the hen pen and see if their feathers improve, but I have a feeling they may have lice. Get the proper stuff from the vet, and dont forget to do the nestboxes, perches and every little part of the henpen (and big daddy, too!!)
2006-08-16 12:52:30 · answer #4 · answered by k0005kat@btinternet.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not normal for a chicken to loose alot of feathers. Do you have a rooster that could be pulling the feathers out?
2016-03-27 04:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Birds pluck their own feathers when they are stressed out or completely miserable. In many cases it means you are not giving it enough attention. Play with your bird. Give it attention. There is also a chance that the other birds are responsible, but most likely your bird is doing it to herself.
It is NOT molting or shedding.
2006-08-16 13:37:08 · answer #6 · answered by taskr36 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be alot of things why there losing there feathers 1st it might be mites 2nd it could be there bored 3rd stress if i was you keep a close eye on the birds and see if the other get it if they do i would take 1 to the vets and get somethink for them i would cut there nails as this is there defents like if they get into a fight they use there claws so please dont cut there claws try this good luck
2006-08-16 20:57:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are probably going through molting. They do this a couple tiems a year. Or the older bigger hens could be esablishing a pecking order. If the **** were doing it he wouldn't use his claws he would be using his beak.
2006-08-16 16:44:58 · answer #8 · answered by silverboy470 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
watch and see who's doing the damage it could be mites and they are doing it to them selves. You could separate the cockerel and see if it gets better if you got the space.
2006-08-16 21:52:03 · answer #9 · answered by petal19277 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is called "molting". When birds loose their feathers and are raplaced by new feathers. I think "Mother Nature" is the cause.
2006-08-16 13:10:29 · answer #10 · answered by old_woman_84 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋