Chicken in full moult in october :(

[fieldyollie]

Hey,
haven't posted in a while but I felt I need to seek some advice, I have 4 lovely ladies and 1 of them have decided to start to moult this picture was taken this morning and I have just got them back in the run this evening and she has lost a more due the day! we live in England and the weather has now started to become a lot colder and wetter, can anyone advice me on how to keep this lovely lady warm as she is going bold! chicken jumper??
many thanks

 

[junebuggena]

She'll be fine. They grow their feathers back fairly quickly, usually. Just make sure they are getting plenty of protein. You may want to switch them to a grower until they finish their molt. The higher protein content will help them feather in faster, and they don't really need the calcium that's added to the layer feed while they are molting.

 

[fieldyollie]

thank you for the advice, she is the only one at the moment! I think I will just change them all over to this for now until she is done! will the protein effect the others with there laying or will they still continue to lay?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Some of mine don't molt until November, chickens don't feel the cold like we do, it isn't cold yet, it's actually comfortable temperatures. Yours is molting quickly so it should be done quicker.

 

[WthrLady]

You aren't alone. My coop looks like they had a pillow fight last night and blew open a seam in one. Crazy.

 

[azygous]

Mine are molting as well. Unless it gets down to below freezing, you really don't have to worry about the bald bodies. In fact, the cold may help to speed up the process.

 

[junebuggena]

thank you for the advice, she is the only one at the moment! I think I will just change them all over to this for now until she is done! will the protein effect the others with there laying or will they still continue to lay?

The protein content will not slow down production at all. In fact, it might boost it a bit. Just be sure to have a source of calcium available for those who are still laying.

 

[Kenorp]

I was worrying but now I am calm.

 

[lazy gardener]

Quite a few of my ladies are looking like they're getting ready to hop into the cooler at the grocery store. All they need is a baggie to make the outfit official! I've never seen a rooster in full molt. That will be interesting when he looses his plumage.

 

[WthrLady]

Ya, it's funn6. They try to be all impressive and roostery while looking like they've been pulled through a knothole backwards.