The Poultry Keeper

richard · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: somerset

one of my black rocks has suddenly lost all the feathers from the breast back to the tail but not the tail feathers. she's about 7 months old. what's going on? looks fine otherwise.

CP · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:19 pm Post subject:

Could just be a late moult if there is nothing else wrong with her. Embarassed

richard · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: somerset

I hope that's all it is.
When should they moult??

Knobby · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 7:00 pm Post subject:

2 of my Orps are just starting to loose feathers !!! Wink

Diane · Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 274 Location: Dorset

Mine all seem to moult at different times - I don't think they read the books properly Laughing

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

She hasn't got mites by any chance has she? There is a depluming mite, which does exactly what it's name says. It might be worth checking her oer thoroughly just in case.
But I'm probably worrying about nothing ~ a few of my girls seemed to lose loads of feathers almost overnight.

richard · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: somerset

I tried checking for mites this afternoon but I didn't see anything obvious but I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Don't know if they're big enough to see easily or if you look for other signs.

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

I'm sorry I don't know what else to look for. Apparently if she has this mite, it burrows under the feather and she actually pulls the feather out to stop the irritation. I guess if her skin doesn't look damaged then it probably isn't that.
Whilst searching for more information I came across an excellent site that is like an encyclopaedia but with easy reading ~ http://www.ruleworks.co.uk