Congo Grey hen o 4 eggs, plucked chest, pull eggs ?

ToucanJungle · Feb 25, 2020

Hello,
Hen just laid her first clutch, plucked her chest clean.
hen is 6 years old, **** 10 years old.
sitting on a clutch of 4 fertile eggs.
question: Can she successfully incubate without her chest feathers ?
I have lots other pairs, never had a hen do this before.
She seemed to dig the eggs in more then other hens leaving them on the surface. I can hand feed from day 1 but always prefer to leave babies with adult pairs for 3 weeks before pulling chicks..
any help ? Thank You.. Chris Estep

texsize · Feb 25, 2020

I know some female birds will pluck there feathers (mostly down feathers) to line the nest with.
I think this is called a "brood patch"
It sounds like your grey took it a bit far. Normally sudden plucking means a trip to the vet but as she is incubation the eggs that might not be advisable.

I hope everything works out ok.
keep us posted.

bigfellasdad · Feb 26, 2020

When Enzo laid her first batch of eggs she plucked her underneath and lower chest, horrible to watch, continued tearing out of feathers for about 2 minutes until she was bald. They grew back in no time and she's never done it since, even on the 2nd batch of eggs. Thankfully she hasn't laid eggs since. Also, both batches where 4 eggs!
I took Enzo to the vets both times she laid, just for a check up and although a little heavier than normal she got a clean bill of health.

Look after that hen, she will be very hormonal of course

Congo Grey hen o 4 eggs, plucked chest, pull eggs ?

ToucanJungle

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texsize

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bigfellasdad

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Introducing my two greys

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