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Molting Or Mites!

Thu, Sep 29 2011 04:20am BST 1
Momma Hen
Momma Hen
51 Posts
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This is Pearl! She has been losing Feathers like crazy, Does this look like molting or could it be mites attacking her feathers! She is the only one in this condition, their are no signs of the flock picking at her no blood and i can't see any mites on her or any of the others!
I Did separate her from the rest of the flock today as I noticed that the flock wasn't letting her eat or drink, she also laid her first egg in a month today as well. She is happily eating and drinking, she didn't even stuggle when I snatched her out of the coop like she normally does!
If this is Molting, This will be my first experience ever with it! What can I give her to help her with the process?
I have 2 other pics but i can't get them to upload they are in my pics on my profile though!
Thu, Sep 29 2011 08:22am BST 2
Kaeta44
Kaeta44
27 Posts
Most probably is moulting, especially as she hasn't been laying eggs. Their supply of protein would normally be directed towards egg production, but they need it to renew the feathers they lose when moulting. They can't produce new feathers and lay eggs at the same time, so they stop laying. (Although my touch little Araucana bantams do both - but this is very, very unusual behaviour)

Try giving her some plain live yoghurt for extra protein. Also get some Apple Cider Vinegar from your poultry supplies shop (don't use the stuff you can buy at a supermarket). ACV is put in their water and is a good general tonic. Just don't put it in metal containers - the acid reacts with the metal.

http://muckycluckers.blogspot.com/
Thu, Sep 29 2011 04:28pm BST 3
Momma Hen
Momma Hen
51 Posts
K thanks! Sounds good! I will try the Apple Cider Vinegar in her water, I will also try to give her some plain live yogurt as well! Thanks for the help! I use placstic wateres although I don't like having to clean them so often! I have her separated from the flock but i will also put some of the cider Vinegar in the flocks water to! I can see feathers but nothin like Pearl! They actually all stopped laying, I think they are all in moult, but pearl has the worst of it and she is the oldest bird in the flock too!

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