So I have read that I may need to trim or pluck some butt feathers from my Cochins in order to ensure fertile eggs. Liza laid her first 2 eggs this week and neither is fertile. I know the rooster isn't shooting blanks because everyone else's eggs are turning up fertile suddenly. So I just went to pluck a few feathers out and with the first feather a big chunk of flesh came out. I so wasn't expecting that!!!! It didn't bleed much at all but now I'm gun shy. I've read that trimming the girls feathers can be a problem for the rooster (stubble hurts lol)
To anyone that has had to do this any suggestions?
Fluffy butt chickens and fertility
- Ontario Chick
- Poultry Guru
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Fluffy butt chickens and fertility
If you pluck, the feathers will grow back eventually, if you trim, they will grow back at next molt, this might be of interest if you plan on showing.
I have trimmed my Wyandotte hens in the past, their fuzzy butts much like Cochins, since there is basically only down under the went I found the remnants are still a soft cushion, so no problem with sharp ends.
Frankly I am not completely convinced it made any difference on the Wyandottes, but might improve the chances on the Cochins.
Some people do a pretty involved spa treatment on their birds, much easier on the little guys and gals.
I have trimmed my Wyandotte hens in the past, their fuzzy butts much like Cochins, since there is basically only down under the went I found the remnants are still a soft cushion, so no problem with sharp ends.
Frankly I am not completely convinced it made any difference on the Wyandottes, but might improve the chances on the Cochins.
Some people do a pretty involved spa treatment on their birds, much easier on the little guys and gals.
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- Happy
- Poultry Guru - pullet level
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Fluffy butt chickens and fertility
Thanks OC. I won't be showing...I'm too paranoid of bringing some disease home and hate quarantine time! Think I will go try trimming and see what I end up with. I can't stomach ripping more flesh out. Geez I felt bad for the poor girl. I read on a Cochin site that fluff above vent on hens and below vent on rooster should be plucked or trimmed close so will give it a shot.
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