The Poultry Keeper

abicon · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 9

One of my pekins has developed very scaly dry skin around the head since she moulted in December. She's always been a bit prone to dry skin around her ears but it's now quite severe and is obviously irritating her. None of the others are suffering in the same way and I can't see any mites or lice. The rest of her body is fine and she's behaving normally although scratching a bit.
Any suggestions as to what this might be and how I might alleviate the condition. (Please don't suggest a trip to the vet as I've just had a baby and can't drive for a few weeks).
Thanks

Lisa · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 9:39 pm Post subject:

I've not had any experience of chickens with itchy heads and nothing chicken related springs to mind from reading my chicken books, but...

... my Mum has had really dry itchy skin, which has been helped by taking mixed omega oil capsules. Might be a bit of a long shot, but could be worth trying adding something like that to her food? Would probably take a few weeks to show any effect.

If you can't get hold of the oil, seeds would be an alternative (maybe a mix of chopped / ground sunflower and flax seed in their diet?)

Good luck - and please keep us updated.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Lisa is excellent on these kind of remedies ~ so I would go along with what she says. Also do you think maybe you could put a little vaseline on the dry skin until the other thing takes hold. I don't know if it would work, but might be worth a try.

Lisa · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 10:24 am Post subject:

That sounds a good idea summayah. I know from talking to the Drs with Mum they said part of the itch comes from the fact she had dry, tight, flaky skin. Softening it or moisturising it in some way was part of the treatment.

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

Put a few drops of olive oil in her water and in her food.You should see a difference in a few weeks.
You could also give her a few drops every day for a week down her throat,before starting it in the water and on the food.

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 5:14 pm Post subject:

Good luck and congrats on the baby! Very Happy

abicon · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 9

Thanks for your replies - I was wondering about vaseline but a bit concerned about it getting in her ears! I'll give it a go and also try the olive oil idea.
Thanks again

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Let us know how you get on Abicon

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

Olive oil taken regularly in the diet of humans helps the condition of the skin.As far as the Vaseline or a body cream goes,put it on your finger and go around the ears and work your way away from the ear.