Do chickens molt this time of year?

[Wyorp Rock]

After reading comments in this thread a few days ago I decided I was not going to bring in my molting Australorp during our polar surge. That changed yesterday when (at 9 degrees above zero) I noticed she just wasn't moving much, was standing on one leg shivering, and her wattles were severely dehydrated. She was having trouble keeping her eyes open - like she was on the verge of falling asleep. Poor girl is missing half her feathers and we were headed into daily highs of 0 and nightly lows of -15. What bothered me the most is I had been watching her water intake the past 2 days and it wasn't good. I put her in a dog crate in my utility room (I closed the vent to the room) and its currently 46 degrees in there. She looks so much better already. Definitely drinking and eating more. So keep a close eye on your girl and follow your gut feeling.

I'm glad to hear that you pulled her. As mentioned in previous posts, it's always a good idea to monitor them closely and give extra care to one that is struggling.

I hope your girl bounces back, keep us posted

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

So keep a close eye on your girl and follow your gut feeling.

I did follow my gut feeling and put two heat lamps in the coop last night, and will leave them there until this freakish cold spell passes. Mine seems to be doing OK. Feathers are growing out.

 

[bruceha2000]

Where do you live @HenOnAJuneBug ?? Putting that (generic, we don't need your street address ) in your profile helps others to know what sort of responses to give based on your "presumed" climate.

 

[Lelilamom]

Could you put your general location in your profile? Maybe you live where it is warmer so they moult at a different time of year?

@orfan40 THIS is a chicken in moult! Nov 9, 2013
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I'm in upstate NY. That chicken is lucky. A few years ago one of my barred rocks lost every single feather except 4 flight feathers on each wing. Naked chicken!