[egbert]

Hi

I have seen a few of you mention moulting - is this regular, occur at a certain time of year?

I have been on my hols for a week, come back and noticed that the ex-bats have a couple of big bald patches - rather than being patchy. 2 of the ex-bats especially have clear round patches on their necks, where before they were patchy. So I was wondering whether they were moulting the poor feathers prior to growing their new feathers, or whether they are fighting each other. The patches seem very clean - plucked almost, rather than as if they had been yanked out by another chicken.

[shetlandpaul]

do you have a cockeral.

[egbert]

Nope - just 5 ladies. 3 ex-bats, about 18 months and 2 Copper Stars about 18 weeks.

[egbert]

Over the week I was away my MIL has been spoiling them rotten, and they are all desperate now when they see me for a treat - I think she came over hourly to give them a lettuce each! Anyway, one of the baldies has tried to peck my hand today while I was opening the pen, and all 5 are now crowding the door as I open it and pecking my feet - no more wearing sandals/crocs while feeding the chooks!