Ugh. I had a hen pluck her 3 chicks down feathers completely off at the end of this week. I figured as long as that was all she did it would be fine, but I was suspicious. So have been checking up on her lately, this morning all was fine, crops full all happy. Came back about TWO hours later and opened the box to find she had started plucking pin feathers. I am soooo mad!!!

 

Fortunately she had just started doing all 3 heads, some less than others. One has a little bit of blood in its ear and she had a mouth full of pins so I (gently but angrily) moved her back into the main flight. Now she is calling constantly to the cock bird but I could care less. Argh! I hope the feathers grow back. Theres an albino hen, a YF cobalt or violet sky blue (not sure which yet) and a violet cobalt in there. They were GORGEOUS. Pics tomorrow

Who's looking after the babies ?

 

Dad at this point. It was early evening today when I found the hen in the middle of plucking, she can't have been at it long but any plucking was too much for me so out she went. The chicks all had very full crops and so I will be up early tomorrow watching throughout the day to ensure dad is feeding them. If not, I will have to intervene. There is little chance of fostering them at this age (they are about 3 weeks old and half feathered) and the other two nests have 5 and 4 chicks respectively.

 

Either dad feeds them or I will have to, but I believe dad would do a better job with seeds/veg/softfood than I would with formula.

 

Edit: There is millet and seed in all my nest boxes - the chicks may at this point be starting to partially feed themselves as is typical where such seed is available from a young age. Fingers crossed.

Edited October 14, 200915 yr by Dean_NZ

i thought it had to be lacewing as you did say dad was / lacewing

also she will still make a good hen if she does or doesn't get feathers back so just wont look as pretty thats all

all looking good though kaz

 

question

how far before you take chicks from a hen when plucking ???

i have one now taking all the down off only on chick its her fav

feathers due soon so do i wait or move now ???

question

how far before you take chicks from a hen when plucking ???

i have one now taking all the down off only on chick its her fav

feathers due soon so do i wait or move now ???

My best hen Omelette always takes the down off her chicks, but leaves the pin feathers alone. I wouldnt move unless the signs werent good..........like if she started on the pin feathers.

 

Here is the lacewing chick today......maybe some more replacement feather growth happening ?

 

It looks like she might be getting some down feathers so that is a good sign

Here is the first chick YF cobalt cock split opaline:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the second, a SF violet normal cock split opaline:

 

 

 

And the last, a albino hen masking opaline:

 

 

Dad is doing a superb job of feeding them. They have very full crops day and night. Hoping the feathers will start to regrow soon.

You will see some new pin feathers by a weeks time ........great that Dad is looking after them :rofl:

Possible regrowth of feathers ?

 

The dark green chicks all grew their feathers back. the lacewing hen still missing some and may continue to not grow hers back.

 

 

i will have her than :fear