I picked up even more of Freckles feathers today than yesterday. The run was strewn with white feathers. It then struck me that this is the second winter we have had Freckles whereas it is the first winter with the three amigos. I think this means Freckles is having a proper full moult as in their first winter chickens only have a partial moult of baby feathers.
This seems to disprove the theory that seramas don’t moult in winter. Today has been bitterly cold and by late afternoon the girls where in a group huddle.
While taking a few photos I realised that Freckles was dozing again and once more her head was nodding up and down. Oh no! not again. She is also still sneezing. I think that she is not well once more.
Mycoplasma reappears at times of stress and I wonder if the cold coupled with a heavy moult has set Freckles back again.
A group huddle
Freckles and Dandelion
Freckles is dozing again
I will be keeping a very close eye on her over the next few days. If she appears to go downhill I think I will go ahead and treat the flock again with tylan. I can see that this is going to be a worrying winter with this problem in my flock.
Click here to see the history of my flock.
Such a shame,just when you thought they were getting better.
I have just been researching it again and it says it’s harder to get rid of in winter than in summer (last time we had it in summer) but catching it early and treating with tylan gives them the best chance. I will watch over her for the next few days and then treat again.
It’s definitely been colder around the North West (I frequent various areas), I’m not a fan of the cold!
I hope Freckles is OK
It’s got a bit colder each day here. We are now having frosty mornings and a bitter cold wind during the day. I am not a fan of the cold either and worry about the little girls when it’s cold. I am keeping a close watch on Freckles but hope she will be okay.