The Poultry Keeper

sambo · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 2

This is a problem with my black rock bantams. We have three left - loosing five to an attack of red mites this summer. But we are worried as recently these three have started to loose feathers quite rapidly.

We checked them for mites (which we use a dust for) but it looks more like flaky skin? And there doesn't appear to be obvious signs of mites? Their combs are a little pale and they haven't layed for over a week...

One we think is starting to grow fresh feathers, small quill with tufts of feather coming out the end?

If anyone has experienced anything similar and can tell us what is happening that would be great.

Thanks

mojo · Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:25 pm Post subject:

moulting ? at this time of year its normal

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3419 Location: Monmouthshire

Mojo's right - birds are moulting at rather odd times this year.

CP · Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 2:38 am Post subject:

Yes they are. Confused

We thought ours had all finished, but there's one now who is looking very bedraggled with loose feathers all over the place again! Embarassed

sambo · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 2

Thanks for that - I've checked them again and there don't appear to be any mites (I'm paranoid about mites after my 'red mite' infestation experience this summer). Lots of new feathers are growing - it just concerns me as it coincided with them stopping laying? We've only had chickens for a year so maybe we haven't experienced the moulting phase yet. Fingers crossed I think that they're okay
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debcat · Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 7:49 pm Post subject:

they won't lay when they are moulting
If the new feathers are growing it will just be a late moult Very Happy

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7324 Location: isle of lewis

unfortunatly they only seen to have the energy for eggs or moulting it does take a lot of energy for them to grow their feathers back ,some of mine are on their 3 year moult and it's gone on for a while ,they really did look like rspca cases and no feathers ,they look nice and bright feathered now and are starting to lay again ,it's really worrying when they do it for the first time Very Happy