Sandy91, SA Region 3
161 posts
Feb 10, 2008
6:36 AM
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I get babies with a wierd feather problem. This happens to only one of my best stock hens. Her babies dont have all there feathers when they start to get feathers. It looks like its been removed or picked out. On some places there are no feathers at all. When I use fosters the babies turn out normal but when she raises her own some have this problem. Is SHE doing this or is there some kind of feather disease or condition?
Ps: When I remove them from the nest to the box they heal immidiatly and some turns out to be some of my best birds with no problems.
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sippi
16 posts
Feb 10, 2008
7:08 AM
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This is a condition where the bird is missing something in her diet and picks the pin feathers. I was reading of this just the other day. I believe it was in Levi's The Pigeon, but am not sure. Nor do I remember the name of the condition. Sorry. I do remember that if it is not corrected it becomes a habit even though you correct her diet.
Sippi
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Sandy91, SA Region 3
162 posts
Feb 10, 2008
7:10 AM
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Sippi you dont know what she needs? and thank you.
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sippi
17 posts
Feb 10, 2008
7:12 AM
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Sandy I will try to find the article and post it.
Sippi
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Sandy91, SA Region 3
163 posts
Feb 10, 2008
7:20 AM
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Thanks sippi I appretiate it..
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sippi
19 posts
Feb 10, 2008
7:49 AM
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I found it. Page 410-cannibalism(feather pulling)
I will paraphrase because of its length. It has been suggested that too much corn in the diet can cause this condition. It has been also concluded that oat hulls contain the necessary minerals to correct this. This was tried with mixed results. It tends to get worse with age and the only real solution was to break up the pairs for six months and the birds tend to forget the practice. This worked in most cases but not all. The cause was still under scrutiney at the time.
Old info and not the best of news for you but all I have at the moment. If you find the deficeincy let us know. They also tried salt, more minerals, more feed, and less crowded conditions to no avail.
Sippi
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Sandy91, SA Region 3
165 posts
Feb 10, 2008
8:11 AM
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Sippi I placed the chick today and break up the parents so I can give the nescesarry attention to her. I' try vitament, minarals, oils and anything I can think of that could help with her needs then i'll put her up agian by October and see what happens, otherwise I just have to foster all her babies..
Thanks aggain for your help...
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