3 Naked Ladies (Chickens ofc)

[FrankieSpitfire20]

Hey There,
Yesterday I picked up 3 18 month old ex-battery hens (Highlines I believe). They are named Fraggle McScraggle, Bubble and Squeak. They have next to no feathers and look about ready for the oven (I would never). I'm worried that they will be cold in blustery England and I was also wondering what they would like in terms of making them comfortable? They have grit, plenty of water and various feeders with both pellets and crumb.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Little sweeties! Are they molting or is this from neglect or mites? Make sure you check them over for mites especially around the vent area.They could use some extra protein in their diet to encourage feather growth. Also need to make sure they keep warm as they do not have their natural insulation.
I am sure you will have them looking good in no time!

 

[FrankieSpitfire20]

Little sweeties! Are they molting or is this from neglect or mites? Make sure you check them over for mites especially around the vent area.They could use some extra protein in their diet to encourage feather growth. Also need to make sure they keep warm as they do not have their natural insulation.
I am sure you will have them looking good in no time!

They are ex-caged hens so they've spent 18 months in a cramped crate indoors. I guess the missing feathers are from stress pecking and bullying and the tight conditions.

 

[Ab1010]

poor things! I'm glad you saved them! I'd make sure to give them extra vitamins and keep sun exposure to a minimum until their feathers have came back. There is not much you can do as far as i know except keep them comfortable and extra nutrients. They will look better soon!

 

[sourland]

Well done on the rescue. Given good feed, space to roam and be 'real' chickens they should feather in rapidly. In a month post 'after' pictures.

 

[FrankieSpitfire20]

Well done on the rescue. Given good feed, space to roam and be 'real' chickens they should feather in rapidly. In a month post 'after' pictures.

I've actually downloaded that "1 second a day" app that puts 1 second videos into 1 big video after however long. Im going to take a picture of 1 of them every day until fully feathered and then post it so you can see them feather

 

[FrankieSpitfire20]

poor things! I'm glad you saved them! I'd make sure to give them extra vitamins and keep sun exposure to a minimum until their feathers have came back. There is not much you can do as far as i know except keep them comfortable and extra nutrients. They will look better soon!

Not much sun here im afraid haha. Mostly windy and rainy (no rain yet just wind). I mocked up some like "cape" type things for them that dont restrict wing movement or feather growth as catching their pins on things can be painful. so they are running around looking like caped superbirds to fend off the windchill

 

[sourland]

You have to post pictures of the 'caped superbirds'.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Congratulations on your new hens. It’s lovely that you have taken on some ex-batts (we have 4 at the moment as part of our flock). I should think they could get chilly being quite so bald - the four we have at the moment came more feathered than yours, but I bedded up some boxes for them to sleep in to start, until they got the hang of the perches. As long as they can get out of the wind in the day?

We keep ours on layers mash or crumble to start as they struggle with pellets initially. I also tend to give them a little bit of scrambled egg from time to time as they eat it up really well and it’s a little protein boost when they have so many feathers to grow.
I look forward to seeing how your girls progress!

 

[Daisycar]

I've only just seen your post. Well done, I have exbatts too for about a year now. Special girls !
How are doing yours?