Demented!

[Bephlam]

I haven't posted in forever (mostly as I keep in touch with most of you via the dreaded facebook now). Anyway...I'm demented.

I have two girls who are near bald! The other girls don't appear to be pecking them, but one of my Araucana girls has no head feathers at all, and my copper Maran girl has no neck or chest feathers!

I am using anti peck spray (every 3 days) and it appears to be helping. But why oh why are these two girls being singled out...funny thing is, they're both quite dominant in the pecking order!

Any suggestions? It's a shame, they look like ragamuffins!

[Suechooks]

Could they be putting their heads through the wire?

[RichmondHens]

They are possibly pecking each other, perhaps as something to do in the mornings before you let them out. Try hanging up some greens for them to peck at inside the house. As it becomes lighter much earlier now, the chooks will be awake and active earlier too, and this is when naughty habits start.

[Bephlam]

They don't get locked up...so they're out at first light. They have hanging greens, they have lots of space to dig (which they do), they have their food and water...I dunno what's causing this behaviour!! Grrrr!!

[RichmondHens]

At the risk of sounding blunt, generally feather pecking is caused by one or more of the following:

Boredom
Overcrowding (in my opinion the "acceptable" space of 1 square metre per bird is not enough)
Skin parasites
Inadequate diet (if they also eat the feathers it is a sign they are not getting enough protein)

It may have been triggered by something which has been remedied (eg lice or mites) but has continued as a naughty habit.


I'll get my coat now ...........

[Bephlam]

How very dare you Richmond!!! Only kidding...your points are totally valid, and you haven't mentioned ANYTHING I haven't already thought of 100 times over.

They might be bored...or were bored during the winter, and now have a horrible habit. I don't believe they're overcrowded, and they free range a lot...but again, they weren't out all winter (too severe) so they've perhaps taken up the habit then and now can't stop!

I can't see how they have an in-balanced diet...they eat layers pellets, with greens and organic tattie peelings, etc. They don't get a huge amount of treats...but they don't need that.

Ok, so what should I do to make it better? I'm applying the anti peck every 3 days...and that's it for now. Any ideas for a quick, permanent solution?

[Nicos]

Quick fix??

I'd apply the anti peck every day to all the chooks.
Seperate the baldies- totally - say for a week.
..and apply frontline to them both.

probably a bit extreme- but I can't be doing with these complicated probs!!!

Then add a couple of new chooks to keep them all entertained!!!

Bit brutal- but it may sort out the probs!!

Oh- and somehow alter the diet so you know they are getting 'better' than they need!

[RichmondHens]

Hmmmm - Unfortunately there may not be a quick, permanent solution. Don't know how much space you have but if these are the only two affected (and my hunch is they are pecking each other) I would try separation, if that's an option. Separate from each other - perhaps leave one in the main pen and the other with a companion in another coop. There is a risk that they would start on someone else so if that happens then it might have to be isolation for a week.

It does sound like a habit that started during the cold weather and has now continued. Keep using the anti peck spray, and separate if that is an option. Changing a bird's immediate environment will unsettle them, but can also stop naughty habits.

[RichmondHens]

Nicos, you nipped in while I was typing!!!!

[Nicos]

Nicos, you nipped in while I was typing!!!!

Oh..you are an excellant teacher ya know!!!..my 'gut feelings' are on the alert with these guys and gals!!

[Bephlam]

Ok, I'm going to keep using the anti peck (more regularly), hang more greens, treat with frontline (even though they're free) and then isolate if I see no improvement. Funny thing is I NEVER see them peck each other, but the little ones do eat the fallen feathers!!

Little Bar-stewards!! I had no issues until I kept this lot I hatched...the torags ate every single egg for the first 5 months of their existence..and I'll tell you, a chicken isn't exactly a genius but I was struggling to out smart them and find a way to stop them eating the eggs. Have finally managed that...and now wish they'd eat some as I have too many!!

Life was simple...if a little boring...before the chooks!!

(pps: It has to be a habit as I've managed to keep fully feathered chickens for almost two years...so this has only happened since winter!)

Nicos...I'm not having any more. I'll be way too busy this coming year...Don't think I got to tell you, because you're not on facebook(?) but I am going to be a student midwife as of Sept 2010...so, I'll have no extra time for any more animals...on top of the crazy amount we already have!

[Bephlam]

Hmm...so I took some time out to really examine Bertha today...and, I'm worried. She is a little quieter than usual, but eating and drinking as normal. However, I took a close look at her skin and there are parts of the skin really thick (like leather), black and peeling off in layers...exposing some really think, pale tissue beneath (which looks healthy).

I checked under wings (for mites) and although she has none, I was quite alarmed by what was under there. Her skin appears to be thickened and very yellow...with areas of this black skin again. It smelt really really fishy...and although it appears clean, this yellow thickened skin is alarming.

I've decided not to use the anti peck spray in case using it so regular has caused a reaction....and I've frontlined her.

Any suggestions...or ideas?

She's a bit quiet today...perching most of the day and snoozing...but on the whole ok. She's looking healthy elsewhere...this feather loss appears to start just under her head, and continues all the way down to her breast bone. I've watched them all and none of them are touching her...she is spending an increased amount of time cleaning her chest area....and she's shaking her head on and off.

I am demented...and worried. She's such a lovely, bright, bubbly girl...I want her to be ok!

(I took pictures of the underside of the wing...but can't put them on for the moment as I've misplaced my camera cable!)

[Nicos]

Fishy smell indicates fungal infection.

Might be worth Googling for info on bathing the area and lifting off the yukky stuff on the surface .
Then you need to sort out a treatment.
(Sorry- not got much time at the moment to help you research )

Once you've cleaned the skin you'll be able to see if it's become infected.
Don't worry- you'll get it sorted. Best check the other gals too

[its hilly]

I'd try a bath with tea tree in, really swish it round under her wings to clean off as much as poss. Also add live yogurt to her food, or all of them just in case, not too sure but maybe rub it into her skin. Could be an imbalance of yeast? Like candiwhotsit in people, and live active yog is good for that.
Hope you get it sorted soon Bephlam, sounds a bit scary.

[Bephlam]

Thanks folks...I thought fungal right away. Poor wee thing...he skin is literally peeling off, and it's like leather. I'll bring her in tomorrow night, and pop her in the bath....(lol, that'll be a laugh). I'll tea tree her and then pop her back out with the others. I've checked the others over and I don't see any fungal infection, although there are two other girls affected by the feather loss.

I just want it sorted...she's a gorgeous bird (as you can see by my avatar) but she currently looks like an orphan. Poor wee Bertha!! (