Chickens losing feathers

ziggy42 | 08:32 Wed 07th Jul 2010 | Animals & Nature

6 Answers

Hello.
We've got 22 chickens who seem healthy and happy, and are laying well, but lots of them seem to have bare bottoms - their feathers are falling out round their bums. Could anyone tell me what we should do about it? They seem to be healthy otherwise, although I think one may have died recently (not sure; they're my father's chickens, and I'm not really sure what a healthy chicken looks like - not dead, obviously!). They have a secure run which they stay in at night (and in their laying shed), and during the day they peck about in the grass. They get good quality food to eat, as well as lots of kitchen scraps.
Does anyone know what the problem might be?
Thanks in advance.

All Dog Lovers

You cant teach an old dog new tricks

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Clanad

All chickens molt (probably spelled 'moult' in the U.K.). Here in the U.S. it's more common to see molting chikens when the weather turns hot while others say the molting occurs when days grow shorter in the fall. We've experienced both. Won't last log... maybe 3 weeks to a month. Do keep an eye on your bird though, since certain diseases, like Coccidiosis can cause or accompany molting. It requires treatment with anti-biotics...

Chaffinch

Lice, probably if it their back end underneath. Get some lice powder and dust them and their nest boxes. I do mine once a month.

AlBags

... and get a Chicken health book from eBay or Amazon.
They can have all sorts of problems .. like being eggbound .. know how to fix that quick? You need to, as they can be dead overnight with that problem

tinpotLizzie

Don't worry, they are most probably entering a moult period. Mine started last week & will probably go on for a couple of weeks more. Lots of feathers in their house & run & they seem to lose them in a random fashion, ending up looking very tatty & moth eaten. It's all quite natural but if you are worried, give them some extra protein ie: chopped boiled egg, dried mealworms (most garden centres sell these for wild birds) & a little BEEF cat food chopped finely & mixed with a little layers mash. They will really appreciate these treats & it will help with re-feathering when they come out of moult. Best wishes.

ziggy42

Question Author

Thanks very much for the answers. I have taken all the advice on board.

ziggy42

Question Author

What on earth is being eggbound? (I think I shall have to invest in a chicken book!)

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