help with molting

[wildwestcoast]

One of my hens is molting, she has lost feathers completely on the back of her neck and part of her back. I have been reading on here and from what I understand this is normal, although unusual for her to have such a hard molt as she is aprox 9 months old. The temperatures are dipping to below freezing this week and I am worried the poor girl won't be able to keep herself warm with all those missing feathers. Does anybody have any advice regarding this? Thanks all

 

[junebuggena]

As long as you have other chickens in the coop for her to snuggle up with, she'll be fine. Switching to a grower feed will help increase her protein intake so she grow those feathers back as quickly as possible.

 

[wildwestcoast]

As long as you have other chickens in the coop for her to snuggle up with, she'll be fine. Switching to a grower feed will help increase her protein intake so she grow those feathers back as quickly as possible.

great thank you When I went to let them out this morning I was surprised to see so many feathers everywhere and my poor bald girl. Then the forcast is for -5. yikes!

 

[wildwestcoast]

just an update. my poor hen is looking pretty ratty! I can see all the new feathers starting. I am still pretty amazed that she would lose so many feathers in her first molt, under a year old and in winter (late fall technically ha) I have another hen starting too. you would think that instinct would have them do this in the summer? I guess you just never know with these creatures!