Brahma hasn't recovered from molt

[azygous]

One of my year old Brahmas went through a molt this summer, but her feathers never seemed to recover. Her two sisters molted at the same time, and they look gorgeous, new feathers, sleek and perfect. But Betty still looks raggedy, shabby, and she's still bald below her throat. I noticed other hens were plucking out her pin feathers in the bald area as soon as they emerged. I've been spraying eucalyptus oil on the area of baldness trying to discourage this and give the pin feathers a chance.

But the rest of her shows no signs of emerging new feathers, and I'm wondering if she's just not going to ever look good again.

She's quite the character, by the way. She's a real badass, and likes to bully the Wyandotte pullets and chase their brother Stan around. Maybe nature is punishing her for her bad behavior.

So my question is: do chickens sometimes just not recover from molt? Or is this a disease she has? No sign of mites or lice.

 

[spotsplus]

Usually a lack of a good molt or finishing a molt is due to diet or stress. Although it could be the new incoming feathers are being picked out as you mentioned. I'd give her some extra protiens. If you can cover the bare areas using a chicken saddle or chicken blanket till they grow in I have seen that help before. Moulting stresses any bird quite a lot and extra stress like bullying, overbreeding by the rooster, lack of excersize or any stress can cause them to get "stuck in molt". If you google "stuck in molt" and read up on it they will say which foods you can add to help finish the molt. I believe ladygouldianfinch. com has a good article on it.

(worms can also cause a hard moult)

T

 

[azygous]

Thankyou for the tips. I gave her a little cat food and I'm sprouting her some seeds.

Perhaps appointing herself chief bully of the pullets has put her under stress. Hope she responds favorably.