Chicken taking to long to grow her feathers back!!!

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chicksTohens

chicksTohens

In the Brooder
Dec 18, 2016
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My chicken Mary would lose her feathers then grow them back quickly every year, but this year she lost almost all her feathers and is taking very long to grow back. Since September she hasn't been able to grow her feathers, Every day I go to see her she's trembling, it's been very cold for the past couple of days. Help anyone?
 
Hi, welcome to BYC!
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Does she have other chickens to huddle with? Sounds like maybe a hard molt, but there may be other issues...

What do you feed? How do you house? what do you mean cold, temps please?

You need to get her warmer.... give her some warm oat meal....

She needs more protein (especially if you are feeding layer). Feathers are like 95% protein
 
Yes she has other chickens to huddle with, the coop is big and open but closed where they sleep. The temperature drops to 11 degrees fahrenheit. We feed the chickens "Family Farm Scratch Grains".
 
That's pretty cold to be featherless. I would probably bring her inside to keep her warm while she feathers in a bit. Her immune system is in a compromised state right now and her body is fighting for survival. Any slight worsening, like a cold could kill her.
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Do you feed oyster shell to your girls? If she has molted before, how old is she?
 
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Don't worry, you are not on trial here.
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I think the answer lies in age and nutrition here.

But the questions are to help find the cause in order to reach a solution, nobody will judge you here. And if they do shame on them!
 
It's 8%, no we don't feed her oyster shells, we never thought about feeding her oyster shells. She's 2, we have 26 chickens and one rooster, and yes we free range them and we never thought of giving them treats it never came to mind about treats, we don't know what treats they would enjoy.
 
Give her some boiled smashed egg, some canned mackerel, tuna or something like that. She needs protein and the amino acids it contains.

Layer is too low in protein (16%) to support growth and high in calcium (4%) which can (doesn't mean will) stunt growth and cause kidney issues for non laying birds including those in molt, chicks, growing pullets, and roosters (if used long term)!

I would use an un-medicated starter, grower, all flock, or flock raiser which should have more protein and about 1% calcium. Offer oyster shell on the side for those who are laying!

I use Purina Flock Raiser with 20% protein and 1% calcium. It's what's available to me. Brand does not matter, nutrients does! Also don't go buy the one sold as feather fixer, it's secret ingredient is 2% more protein than layer which is still only 18%.
 

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