Do feathers regrow immediately or only after molt?

[backintime]

I have one hen that got beat up pretty badly by my rooster (she was his favorite). I re-homed the roo, but it's been a good 6 or 8 weeks, and the feathers on her back have not regrown. She also has a bald spot on her head which has not regrown. I have had to keep Neosporin and Blu-Kote on her head to keep the others from picking at her. (I spray the Blu-Kote into a bottle cap and use a Q-tip to put it on her head, so I don't spray it in her eyes). The bald spot on her back is pretty much covered when her wings are folded.

It seems like the feathers should have regrown by now. Does a feather regrow if one is pulled out, or does it only regrow in the next moulting cycle?

 

[jhmoore]

I'm in a similar situation right now. I have a polish hen whose crest feathers were all picked out in a large circle at the back of her head. A month later, she is now covered in what lookes to be only quills. I was told on this forum earlier on, that if a feather is completely plucked, shaft and all, it will regrow on its own. However, if a feather is broken at the shaft, it will need to go through a complete molt before re-growing. I hope I'm right on this....? Good luck to you and your little hen.

 

[backintime]

These feathers appear to have been pulled out entirely. As my 3-year old once said when visiting her doctor, whose hair had suddenly and completely fallen out, "Mommie, he's as bald as a tire!"

 

[39jdeere]

Backintime
tack some blue coat an spray the back or bare spots.
twice a week
an with in a week you will start to see new growth
keep it sray though, an you be surprised

 

[backintime]

39jDeere, I have been putting on the Blu-Kote (spraying areas) but not twice a week. I will apply it more often and see what happens.

P.S. I learned the hard way to wear gloves around that stuff!

 

[gallusdomesticus]

I've had several hens who were attacked by dogs that had to be sewed up by the vet. Their backs were plucked clean for the sutures and their feathers grew back completely in about six weeks. They were heavily feathered breeds, barred rocks and wyandottes.

 

[backintime]

This one is a buff orpington. She's was the roo's favorite, and she's at the bottom of the pecking order. I wouldn't worry so much about the bare spots if it weren't for this darn cold.

 

[silkiechicken]

Don't worry about the bald spots. If they don't grow back within a few months, wait for moult. Don't need to spray any blue kote unless there is picking or open wounds. Doesn't work like rogane or a feather growth stimulant.