Chook Me!

Do Roosters ever lose their long tail feathers all in one hit?

have been away for a week and noticed my roosters tail was missing all of his long feathers was he attacked or is this natural?

Public Comments

1. They will molt in the spring but its usually like an undercoat of feathers. Ive never had my roosters tail feathers just fall out. Maybe he got stuck in something or yes maybe he was attacked. Kinda weird : /
2. yea he will be attacked because animals love to eat roosters or sometimes it is natural
3. A stressing rooster can loose all of it's tail feathers. If your rooster is running loose, there is a chance that it could have also been attacked.
4. all chickens have a pecking order and if this male has fallen out of rank or has become ill he will be picked upon. its the way they rule the ruste. if there is some kind of lice or illness all the chickens will get it but i think he is being picked on.
5. stop saying ur a rooster! ur a chicken!!! bock! Bock! Bock!
6. The time my rooster lost his tail feathers was when my dog tried to kill him and ripped them all out. They grew back. It could be feather picking (due to overcrowding or a vitamin imbalance), or getting them pulled out by another bird. Or, he was attacked but got away. Or, he could have parasites and pulled out his feathers, check for mites on his skin.
7. You were away for a week. Let's say the rooster got lonesome and his feathers fell out. Stress makes HAIR fall out on humans!
8. Hi there. Birds molt but to lose all of his long feathers indicates a struggle whether from another animal or perhaps being accidentally trapped in a fence or something. Tail feathers come out rather easy, but will grow back. Have a tweet year.