The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: the shepherd on October 17, 2010, 05:05:20 pm

Title: Pecking
Post by: the shepherd on October 17, 2010, 05:05:20 pm

Hi I have a chicken puff orpington cross dorking that has started pecking herself. Her feathers. Have all come off her chest. I have checked for fleas and even though no sign have completely doused the all and changed their bedding. She is young and her comb looks healthy? But she is raw??????? What should I do

Title: Re: Pecking
Post by: the shepherd on October 17, 2010, 05:07:08 pm

I meant lice not fleas

Title: Re: Pecking
Post by: little blue on October 17, 2010, 06:28:31 pm

could just be moulting.
how old is she?

Title: Re: Pecking
Post by: doganjo on October 17, 2010, 08:42:12 pm

What did you treat them with - could be mites?  A bit small to see them sometimes.  She could be moulting, one of mine  has lost a good few feathers lately and so have my ducks, but not the rest of the chooks. They all moulted ages ago.  I put diatom in their dust baths and their bedding, and spray the shed with mitekill regularly.

Title: Re: Pecking
Post by: the shepherd on October 19, 2010, 02:19:59 am

but will moulting cause her to peck herself raw??
very weird as my neighbour - experienced with chickens - came to see and thought
will check for mites, but the powder we got kills them all.

Title: Re: Pecking
Post by: BlueDaisy on October 19, 2010, 09:13:01 am

I would have said moulting - try anti peck spray to make her leave any new growth alone.