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Question
I have three chickens the last couple of days I have noticed all three are red and sore from there back sides to right under there bellys.I washed the sore parts with salt water can you tell me what I can buy to clear this up. They are all eating well and still laying. Regards ANN.
Hello Ann,
Don't wash these sore parts with salt water as it will make them dryer. This happens a lot with broody hens- they lose the feathers on their chests, bellies and bottoms so that they can keep the eggs warmer- it also happens in hot summers so the hens can cool themselves more easily. Make sure there isn't any sort of lice infestation in the coop, and that you can't see any on the hens so you can rule this out as a reason for feather loss. When I notice any feather loss on my hens this is the first thing I do, and treating regularly for lice is very important.
Thanks for your question.
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Answers by Expert:
Abi
Expertise
I CAN'T ANSWER QUESTIONS ON ANIMALS OTHER THAN CHICKENS/DUCKS/GEESE- I WILL TRY BUT THEY ARE NOT MY SPECIALIST SUBJECT- PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME QUESTIONS ABOUT BUDGIES, FINCHES, PARROTS, COCKATIELS OR OTHER 'EXOTIC' BIRDS. I can answer questions on pretty much all CHICKEN breeds, including fancy and bantam birds. I can give advice on how to get the best egg production, brightest yolk colours and darkest egg shell colours, breeding (using broody hens, not incubators), bird problems/illnesses. I can give advice on all aspects of basic chicken care but I breed chickens for my own pleasure only, I do not often show or sell my birds.
Experience
I own and breed a wide range of chickens, but I speciallise in cochins and crevecour bantams; crevecours have a large crest (an afro!) so I can answer questions on problems concerning them; cochins have feathered legs, which leads to no end of problems which I have experienced! I also own a large flock of domestic, rescued 'battery' hens, and a single maran hen, Hilda, who is the matriarch of her flock, so I can give advice on how to get the best colour of maran eggs!
Education/Credentials
n/a
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