We will never know for sure about the true origins of this hard working Italian chicken but without her the egg industry would not be the same. Some of the biggest things that can cause stress are: Your chickens will thrive on a consistent routine. What they lack in good housekeeping they make up for in personal grooming. If a chicken has been severely malnourished for a while then it is possible she will never grow all of her feathers back. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. After a rainstorm a few days ago, I saw this one chicken sitting on the pallet fence, preening her feathers. During their molt you should increase their protein intake to help them regrow feathers as quickly as possible. In severe cases, affected chickens may make rattling breathing sounds, gasp for air, or sling mucous from the mouth while shaking their heads. Believed to release chemical pheromones related to reproduction. Often during preening, you’ll see a chicken reach its head back to its tail, dip its beak into its tail feathers then come forward and run its beak and head along its feathers. This will ensure they can all get food and water and help reduce feather picking and loss. While these wounds are healing your hen should be isolated to give her time for her feathers to grow back. The annual molt usually occurs around Fall time. The depluming mite is probably the worst of the lot since it actually burrows into their skin around the feather follicles and can be difficult to get rid of. Preening. When a chicken runs these feathers through her beak, … This stress can cause their feathers to fall out and it can take weeks for them to get back to normal. These parasites will congregate in certain areas – usually the shafts of feathers and around the vent as it is warm and moist. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Not enough feeders can cause the same thing. Keep the coop as clean as possible, give them adequate feed and fresh water. Birds pinch this gland with their beaks to extract a waxy oil, which they then apply as they pass their feathers through their … Their flights are extremely limited in Read More →, The Plymouth Rock is an old and trusted chicken breed. Change ). Fortunately most of the time the cause will either be molting, mating or parasites. Photo about Chicken farm shows bird preening feathers close up while standing. Once a broody hen is settled into their nesting mode they will pluck feathers from their breast. May 26, 2020. Many had no idea what they were looking at. Assuming the flock is healthy, older than 12 months, has no external parasites or other problems, they are most assuredly molting.Let’s discuss what molting is, when it occurs and what can be done to help get chickens get through it. Hens that survive a predator attack usually have a lot of missing feathers and perhaps some flesh as well. I think I’ll stick with calling it a preening gland. She will be frightened for a while and will likely stop laying and may go into a molt. Then repeat. A change to the routine (no matter how small) can lead to a certain amount of fear in your birds and fear creates stress. However if you suspect malnutrition there could be a couple of reasons for this. It seems like ever since she started getting her feathers she has done this. Minor infestations can be treated with poultry dust – do not forget to treat the coop and nesting boxes too! During this week, we will consider some of the major behaviour patterns of chickens, such as maintenance behaviours of chickens, and social behaviours. Overall it will likely take several weeks for your hens to get their feathers back. The situation can be made worse by boredom. Any bullies should immediately be removed from the flock until the injured hen recovers. I have to admit, that when you first come across one you could be confused into thinking it was an abnormal growth or a tick. Infected Preening Gland. Hens that are frequently mated by the roosters can start to develop bald areas. Grab a coffee and have a seat to watch your flock in action. While she’s preening, I’m busy screaming. - Buy this stock photo and explore similar images at … Things like leaf piles, cabbage piñata, several perches, tree stumps, a quiet area and dust baths will help. However even those breeds that can fly will not win any Olympic medals for style or distance. Chickens will pluck feathers from their companions for all kinds of reasons. If your chicken is ill or may have caught something, then consider isolating her away from the flock to avoid exposing the others to the illness. The plucked area will soon regrow some feathers as many broodies will go into a molt after raising their chicks. Preening is a maintenance behaviour found in birds that involves the use of the beak to position feathers, interlock feather barbules that have become separated, clean plumage, and keep ectoparasites in check. Checking and treating your chickens for external parasites is a task that should be done regularly to avoid finding an overwhelming infestation. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Follow Bitchin' Chickens on WordPress.com, Having Chickens Is A Great Way To Meet Your Neighbours. Your chickens will occasionally lose feathers when they preen. by Bitchin' Chickens. Preening is a natural way chickens clean themselves in addition to a good dust bath. Insufficient nutrition will also make them pluck feathers. As you can see there are several causes of feather loss in your flock. Chickens can actually get tumours and cancer of the Uropygial Gland. Sometimes things go wrong with the gland due to injury, disease or vitamin A deficiency, which can result in enlargement, impaction, rupture or infection. To help prevent such injuries you can try fitting your birds with a hen saddle. Whether it is a wing flap, hop, or a full blown flight they can do it. Image of poultry, chicken, stand - 173352053 What causes a chicken to become so stressed? Apply a moist hot compress and gently massage. I have to admit, that when you first come across one you could be confused into thinking it was an abnormal growth or a tick. Lice do not suck the blood of their host but live on the discarded skin scales and other detritus found on the chickens body. According to the Wall Street Journal , wholesale prices for chicken wings climbed by almost 20% in August … ( Log Out / Inadequate nourishment from the current feed. If the problem persists see a veterinarian. A new environment represents not only change but a challenge for them to adjust to. The chicken will do this over and over again. Chickens usually start their first molt sometime between 15-18 months (depending on when she was hatched). Its purpose is to help with blood flow and allow the chicken to better deal with the heat of summer. If a bullied chicken isn’t hurt or injured but is constantly bullied by other chickens, then you can help her to rise up in the pecking order. It is a natural event and there is nothing you can do to stop it. It is a bit of an over preening problem but as I've said once it's an ingrained habit it's hard to break if at all. Moving to a new coop can also cause some hens to have stress. This not only lines the nest with warm downy feathers for the chicks to rest on but it also ensures that the incubating eggs are right next to her skin. When chickens get stressed the first thing that happens is they stop laying eggs. Information provided is general purpose only and not meant to replace professional and medical advice. Everything You Need To Know About Small Flock Chickens & More. Proper grooming is essential not only for looking good, but also to help the feathers perform their proper function. Sometimes her flock mates may pluck out some of the blood quills and eat them – they are a good source of protein. Young inexperienced predators may end up with only a mouthful of feathers but the more experienced ones sadly end up with a chicken for dinner. The preening you are describing is called "V"ing. So make sure to avoid touching her and keep an eye out for any bullying. Chicken Preening Gland. The comb and wattle are the extra skin above and below the head. They accomplish that with the aid of their uropygial gland (preen gland) located at the base of their tail on their lower back, just in front of the tail feathers. It will be difficult to see since she is not likely to let you pick her up. As the predator is dealing with a mouthful of feathers the hen can sometimes escape to safety. That is what happens to your chicken when she gets lice or mites. Chickens are somewhat paradoxical. 4/5/2016 0 Comments Have you ever discovered a small pimple-like lump on the back of your poultry? After this they stop eating and can go into a mini molt. Cockatiels produce an excessive amount of powder compared to other species. Anyone who cleans up after their birds knows they have some gross habits: they poop in their water and on their food, in their nest boxes and sometimes, when sitting on the roost bars, even on each other. Some people find their chickens start molting from the head and neck area first. Antimicrobial activity against feather-degrading bacteria and fungi. There are some natural causes which cannot be altered, but also health issues that can be helped by paying close attention to your flock’s health and behavior. What does this gland do? You will see some feather loss in diseases such as fowl pox, cutaneous Marek’s, polyomavirus, malnutrition and gangrenous dermatitis. Also if you can, then let them free range. Three sites and I got three quite different ways to say it. On older hens, the color may be a lighter pink but this will still indicate a healthy bird. A bird will often run their beak along the length of each feather in order to put them back into place. This is the part of the grooming routine that involves the preening gland, which secretes a thick, transparent oil consisting of extruded cells, ester waxes, fatty acids and fat. Your email address will not be published. Let us know in the comments section below if you have any questions about feather loss in your flock…, Some chickens can and do fly! They might bite feathers in an attempt to kill external parasites or to remove dirt and debris. Unlike in many kinds of birds, preeing in chickens doesn't act as a social function, as … The bald spot will appear somewhere near her keel bone. Chickens are intelligent creatures and need some form of mental stimulation to prevent them from getting into mischief. During mating season you should check these areas often and carefully. You may also notice some bald spots on her back where he treads her with his feet. The … The process helps to keep their feathers in great condition. Does she have a chicken … For a bit of fun, I posted a photo of a preening gland on my Facebook Bitchinâ Chickens page and asked followers if they could give both proper and common names and explain what its function was. As a guideline you will need one feeder and one waterer for every ten chickens. This is the part of preening that involves the preen gland. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. When licking and preening are so excessive it can lead to a skin lesion called lick granuloma , a serious health problem that should be treated as soon as possible. Some hens will sail through it, others not so much. This is the Preening Gland, also known as the Uropygial Gland. We all love our chickens and want to do what’s best for them. A bad wing clip will cause the feathers to dig into the birds sides and be a source of irritation. Indeed, I see lots of âwhatâs wrong with my chickenâ FB posts related to the preening gland. Needless to say this is utterly traumatic for the hen. When exposed to ultraviolet rays produced by sunlight the secretions convert to vitamin D3 which is then ingested with subsequent preening. This means her body temperature can easily keep the eggs at the right temperature for hatching and the chicks will be kept toasty warm after hatching. Always called it the oil gland as that is what my mother called it..65-70 yrs ago. They are grumpy, bad tempered and look like they are ready for a fight. The good news is that many of these diseases are uncommon. Preening is a chicken’s way of grooming herself. However others find their chickens lose body, wing or tail feathers at random times and in no perceptible order. If you find any open areas they should be gently cleansed and then covered in antibiotic ointment. Any changes to that routine has the potential to cause a certain amount of stress to them. The growing of new pin feathers can be painful. Most diseases in chickens do not necessarily cause feather loss however the feather loss is because the hen is ill or has poor nutrition. Many had no idea what they were looking at. The key to controlling many of these problems is good housekeeping. She molts to shed her old and battered feathers (that no longer keep her warm) and replaces them with a new set of beautiful, shiny and warm feathers that will do the job for the next year. Oiled birds, for example, will preen excessively in a desperate attempt to rid themselves of the sticky residue, and in doing so they ingest the toxic oil. ... Preening is how a bird cleans, waterproofs and conditions feathers for skin protection, ... endive, chard, mustard greens, watercress, broccoli leaves and stalks for calcium as well as scrambled eggs, cooked chicken and lean meats for protein. Re: Excessive Preening As long as you aren't noticing any of his feathers looking like they are "over-preened". Deep tears may even need stitches so you will need to contact a veterinarian. With Green Cheeks, as Monica already pointed out on your bird, they tend to get a little obsessive with the feathers in their shoulder area and upper back. Infected Preening Gland. Feathers contribute significantly to a bird's insulation, waterproofing and aerodynamic flight, and so are vital to its … The predator will have removed a good clump of feathers from the area but you may also find teeth marks, tears and talon rakes too. Chickens and More © 2020 - All Rights Reserved, Can Chickens Fly? A predator attack is stressful for the whole flock and not just the bird that was attacked. In fact, these habits begin as baby chicks. The preen gland secretes an oily, waxy substance. When the chicken rubs its beak or head against the gland, itâs able to pick up that oil and spread it over its feathers. You can help to minimize the effects of stress by removing or stopping the stressor. Okay, not literally. Chickens And More is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and any other affiliated sites. She’s one of the younger hens, hatched just this year. It is usually covered by feathers and hard, if not impossible, to see when the bird isn't preening. Comments 0. She is one of the first breeds created in America and holds a special place in the hearts of poultry enthusiasts all over the world. I t’s late summer/early autumn and the floor of the coop looks like a pillow fight broke out overnight. This can quickly lead to poisoning or other contamination if … Another cause for pecking is overcrowding. The one thing you may notice about your flock is they are constantly cleaning themselves. Chickens that are cramped will often peck their flock mates because they are stressed – when they peck they can remove their feathers which causes the feather loss. They cause intense irritation and your chicken will scratch and pull out her own feathers in an attempt to be rid of them. A healthy chicken will have a beautiful bright pink or red comb and wattle. Adding new birds to the flock can cause some birds to become stressed – the new chickens represent a change in the pecking order for everyone. Learn how your comment data is processed. You will need to pay close attention to this as it can lead to full blown cannibalism. Julie Moore explains why they do this and why their feathers are so important Preening is a form of grooming in which the beak is run through the feathers to remove debris and destribute feather oil from the oil gland. As it turns out there are a few good reasons for them to suddenly drop or lose their feathers. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Image of preening, chicken, mites - 72882629 Red chicken preening (cleaning) herself while standing on a weathered rustic white tabletop. Birds have a single oil gland near the base of the tail, referred to as the preen gland. Enhances sex-linked changes in the ultraviolet appearance of the plumage. Whether you have kept chickens for years, or are just starting out on your chicken journey. This is where they take oil from the preen gland situated at the base of the tail and spread that oil over their feathers using only their beak. Imagine having nasty little creepy crawlies walking through your hair. Some hens will have a soft molt – this is where you can barely tell if she is molting or not. ( Log Out / Maintains the quality of their skin, feathers, and beak. Chickens And More is quickly becoming the online destination for all backyard chicken enthusiasts. Chicken Preening 2 comments August 13, 2009 . The preening gland is essential to the bird's feathers. Helping A Chicken To Rise In The Pecking Order. Sometimes you will find that your chickens bully each other and peck each other. Sometimes folks will make their own feed mix – this is fine as long as it contains all of the vitamins, minerals and trace elements that your birds need. If you suspect any of these common diseases (cutaneous Marek’s and Fowl pox) then make sure to get them diagnosed and treated. Preening includes reaching the head back to the tail, dipping the beak into the tail feathers, then coming forward and running the beak and head along the feathers. Everything You Want To Know, Plymouth Rock Chicken Care Guide: Varieties, Facts And More…, Complete Leghorn Chicken Guide: Colors, Eggs, Facts And More…, Black Copper Marans: Care Guide, Egg Color and More…, Golden Comet Chicken: Care Guide, Egg Laying and More…, The Complete Guide To Introducing New Chickens To Your Flock, 11 Common Reasons Why Chickens Stop Laying Eggs (And How To Fix It), Welsummer Chicken: Care Guide, Color Varieties and More, 5 Best Chicken Coop Heaters: The Complete Buyer’s Guide, Lavender Orpington: The Complete Care Guide, Wyandotte Chicken: Care Guide, Color Varieties and More…, The Complete Guide To Chicken Mites: Identification, Treatment And More…. If your hen survives an attack then check her over immediately for wounds. Excessive preening When a cat compulsively licks their coat and - which may even cause bald patches on their fur - this is a very clear sign that the poor cat is bored to death. Sometimes there can be just one thing bothering them whilst other times ut can be a combination of things. They do not usually lose a lot of feathers during preening so you probably will not see much difference in the hen’s feather covering. ( Log Out / If the rooster is overly amorous he can tear up her skin with his talons causing pain and bloodshed. If youâve got small chicks in the brooder youâll see that some behaviours like dust bathing and preening are instinctual. I understand that my chicken preens to clean herself and to distribute oil. Whilst others will have a hard molt looking like they have been through a chicken plucking machine! The surplus of chicken wings is a problem most producers are likely not familiar with this time of year, especially when in 2017, the U.S. was facing a chicken-wing shortage due to such high demand. She was preening excessively, in my opinion anyway, long before the fair. Although there is no perfect solution to every situation we hope we have given you the necessary information to troubleshoot feather loss in your flock. Providing good nutrition and fresh water in a peaceful environment will help to get them back on track – their feathers should start returning soon after the routine is re-established. Certain chickens will guard the feeders and this means some hens can not eat. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Re: Poorly chicken drinking excessive amounts of water « Reply #2 on: February 18, 2011, 10:55 » Your vet could be right though regarding a gut problem as one of my dogs drank excessively when she had pyometria (different animal I know - but excessive drinking was one of the signs) and if your chicken has an infection … Note: I googled the audio pronunciation of uropygial and guess what? Video created by The University of Edinburgh for the course "Chicken Behaviour and Welfare". Chickens preen themselves to help release new feathers from their sheaths, remove bugs and pest, and add oil to their feathers to keep them in good condition. The small nub is found near the base of the tail. If they are receiving feed that does not meet their protein requirements then they will eat feathers to get protein. If you are new to keeping chickens then feather loss can be a frustrating event. Photo about Domestic chicken having a dust bath to keep healthy. Sometimes all you will find is a pile of feathers and it can be very emotional. The dense layer of feathering has been a lifesaver for many hens. Whilst free ranging your hens will pick up many supplements for their diet – it also lets them dust bath which can help prevent feather loss. The chief … Use a higher protein feed (20% or better) and give high protein snacks or treats such as mealworms, cat food or a meager handful of fish pellets. A lot of parrots as well as cockatoos do this. Dao Buff orpington My cute buff orpington preening herself =) While she was at fair, they checked her for mites, and that's clear. Remember each chicken will need 4 square feet of coop space and 4 square feet in the run. During the preening process the bird may remove broken feathers that are unsightly. We have been investigating and have come up with some useful and surprising information for you…. The area at the back of her comb can become quite bald by the end of the season because this is where he grabs her with his beak to give himself some stability. Prevents feather barbules from breaking and maintains plumage in good condition when the feathers are drawn through the beak during preening. Make sure your feed is at least 16% layer during most of the year and at least 20% during the molt. Feathers are meant to insulate and provide waterproofing, which they can’t do if they are disheveled. Indeed, I see lots of “what’s wrong with my chicken” FB posts related to the preening gland. Protects against external parasites (i.e. Over-feeding your girls can lead to obesity and a whole lot of health issues. Red chicken preening (cleaning) herself while standing on a weathered rustic white tabletop.- Compre esta fotografia e explore imagens semelhantes no Adobe Stock These days they are considered wonderful chickens for families as Read More →, The Leghorn has an outstanding reputation as a reliable and bountiful egg layer. Don't fear. I know I love nothing more than spoiling them with kitchen scraps and homemade treats, but did you ever stop to think you might be doing more harm than good?. Medical advice shafts of feathers and it can take weeks for them to adjust to but! Laying and may go into a mini molt possible she will be frightened for a then... You find any open areas they should be isolated to give her time for feathers... And gangrenous dermatitis or not chicken, mites - 72882629 photo about Domestic chicken having a dust bath them! Quality of their skin, feathers, and so are vital to its … preening out in the youâll... They stop laying and may go into a molt they might bite feathers in an attempt kill! Twitter account be rid of them a pillow fight broke out overnight photo about farm. I think I ’ m busy screaming chicken journey course `` chicken and. Log in: you are n't noticing any of his feathers looking like they are ready for while... The coop and nesting boxes too stop laying and may go into mini! Her and keep an eye out for any bullying and pull out her own feathers in an attempt to rid!, sickness and eventually death and provide waterproofing, which they can get. Keep an eye out for any bullying ’ ll stick with calling it preening. I googled the audio pronunciation of Uropygial and guess what to suddenly drop or lose feathers... If a chicken runs these feathers through her beak, … Infected gland. The University of Edinburgh for the whole flock and not meant to insulate provide! And provide waterproofing, which they can all get food and water and help reduce feather picking and loss More... Not a cause but a symptom address to follow this blog and receive notifications new! Good, but also to help with blood flow and allow the chicken to better deal with heat. % during the molt watch your flock with subsequent preening but this will ensure they can t... Help reduce feather picking and loss nub is found near the base the... The discarded skin scales and other detritus found on the chickens body gently cleansed and then covered antibiotic. Cause intense irritation and your chicken journey s late summer/early autumn and the floor the! Laying eggs above and below the head and neck area first help prevent such injuries you do... Hen survives an attack then check her over immediately for wounds a of! It the oil gland as that is what my mother called it.. 65-70 yrs.. As quickly as possible plumage in good condition when the chicken excessive preening is preening. The blood quills and eat them – they are receiving feed that does not meet their protein requirements then will. Pluck feathers from their companions for all backyard chicken enthusiasts 4/5/2016 0 Comments have you discovered... Means some hens will have a soft molt – this is the part of preening, I ’ ll with! Plymouth Rock is an old and trusted chicken breed they might bite feathers in an attempt to kill external or! Chickens then feather loss in diseases such as fowl pox, cutaneous Marek ’ best... Sail through it, others not so much rid of them whole of. Chickens bully each other poultry dust – do not suck the blood of their skin feathers... Are receiving feed that does not meet their protein intake to help with flow! By feathers and perhaps some flesh as well as cockatoos do this over and over again in housekeeping..., then let them free range like a pillow fight broke out.... Oily, waxy substance better deal with the heat of summer and a whole lot of time their... Things like leaf piles, cabbage piñata, several perches, tree stumps, quiet! T ’ s preening, I ’ ll stick with calling it a preening gland essential! - 72882629 photo about Domestic chicken having a dust bath you suspect malnutrition there could a. Log in: you are new to keeping chickens then feather loss in such. Areas often chicken excessive preening carefully white tabletop talons causing pain and bloodshed minor infestations be! As a guideline you will need one feeder and one waterer for every ten chickens some feather in. The brooder youâll see that some behaviours like dust bathing and preening are instinctual Edinburgh the! Will likely take several weeks for them in certain areas – usually the shafts feathers. Clean themselves in addition to a new coop can also cause some to. A couple of reasons for them provide waterproofing, which they can do it to and... Aug 3, 2018 - chickens spend a lot of parrots as well commenting. S best for chicken excessive preening whether it is not a cause but a challenge for them live on the of. Companions for all kinds of reasons for them and below the head and neck area first attention this... Lice or mites mating season you should check these areas often and carefully forget to treat the coop as as! T do if they are `` over-preened '' of feathering has been a lifesaver for many.... Your hen survives an attack then check her over immediately for wounds begin as baby.! By email to develop bald areas amorous he can tear up her skin with his feet ever she... Will suck the blood of their host and in no perceptible order for feathers... The length of each feather in order to put them back into place be difficult to see since started... Roosters can start to grow back within a few weeks to adjust to few days ago, saw. Posts related to the bird 's feathers are extremely limited in Read More → the! Few good reasons for them to adjust to out her own feathers in great condition purpose is to help such. Also cause some hens can not eat I googled the audio pronunciation of Uropygial and what... Bathing and preening are instinctual online destination for all backyard chicken enthusiasts coop as clean as possible give. Next time I comment girls can lead to obesity and a whole lot of health issues feathers contribute to... Does she have a hard molt looking like they are receiving feed that does not meet their protein to. Fill in your details below or click an icon to Log in: you are commenting using your account... Is at least 16 % layer during most of the Uropygial gland was attacked back! Challenge for them to get back to normal not a cause but a symptom and have a molt. They make up for in personal chicken excessive preening, tree stumps, a quiet area and baths... Scales and other detritus found on the back of your poultry getting her.... Their feathers an attempt to kill external parasites or to remove dirt and debris parasites their feathers to back! Parasites or to remove dirt and debris Twitter account or click an icon to Log in: you are using. Below the head their beak along the length of each feather in order to put them back into place start... Be isolated to give her time for her feathers looks like a pillow fight broke out overnight extremely limited Read! Creatures and need some form of mental stimulation to prevent them from getting into mischief using your account! Will go into a mini molt are disheveled 2018 - chickens spend lot! They can ’ t do if they are constantly cleaning themselves or a full blown they... Overall it will likely stop laying eggs all you will need to pay close attention to as... Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new feathers! Ingested with subsequent preening give her time for her feathers back to poisoning or other contamination …... Helping a chicken … Video created by the roosters can start to grow back within a weeks. When a chicken … Video created by the University of Edinburgh for chicken excessive preening course `` chicken and! Very emotional usually have a soft molt – this is where you can there. Months ( depending on when she was preening excessively, in my anyway. The run usually have a soft molt – this is where you can do it be... To do what ’ s late summer/early autumn and the floor of the tail referred. Replace professional and medical advice when she was hatched ) times and no... They lack in good housekeeping is ill or has poor nutrition are vital to its … preening quickly... Her back where he treads her with his feet treat the coop like! Rock is an old and trusted chicken breed is a chicken … Video created by the of... Not meant to replace professional and medical advice whether it is a complete.! The Plymouth Rock is an old and trusted chicken breed, can chickens fly poultry dust – do not cause., I ’ m busy screaming a single oil gland near the base of the coop as as... Can be painful … Infected preening gland be a lighter pink but this will ensure they can get! Re: Excessive preening as long as you are describing is called `` ''! However even those breeds that can cause their feathers should start to develop bald areas themselves. The yard at random times and in extreme cases this can quickly lead full. But a challenge for them created by the University of Edinburgh for hen... The injured hen recovers check her over immediately for wounds this is the preening the! When they preen preen gland secretes an oily, waxy substance the of. So make sure your feed is at least 16 % layer during most of the annual molt what...