CHICKEN ABUSE...NEED HELP

[countryladyNH]

**(I hope it's moulting and not the hen being picked on around the neck by other hens. Was not sure because the feathers appear broken off leaving sharp stubs.)

 

[redsoxs]

Can you take a picture and post?

 

[dekel18042]

**(I hope it's moulting and not the hen being picked on around the neck by other hens. Was not sure because the feathers appear broken off leaving sharp stubs.)

This time of year many chickens molt and they look really bad. Last year, you could open the coop door and there were feathers everywhere.
My older birds are all in a molt now. I have a beautiful laced Easter egger who looks down right ratty and several others aren't much better.
Since they don't lay when they molt, I have switched their feed to 50% either 23% grower or mix in a bag of feather fixer ad I also give cat and dog kibble as treats. The extra protein helps them grow new feathers.
They may not start laying until the days increase in light.