Emergency help for sick hen

[Chickenlady002]

Hello! In my flock, I have nine chickens and one turkey in a very large coup, all of which are a little over a year. They have all been in very good health, with a high egg production, and no violence within the flock. Occasionally I provide them with a hen nutrient mixture in their water that I bought to ensure they remain healthy, and I have also given them small amounts of apple cider vinegar in their water as I read this can also benefit their health. Yesterday morning, I went to check on the hens as I normally do, and I was shocked to discover that one of my hens was missing most of her feathers, leaving her completely bare as if she had just been plucked. In all the areas with missing feathers there appears to be feathers growing in, except on her rear and stomach. There is no blood, so I know the feathers were not pulled out, as she is continuing to loose feathers when she shakes herself. Her appetite and behavior is the same, but she looks as if she has just been plucked and appears to be uncomfortable with the bare skin showing. My other hens are molting, but this seems to extreme to be normal. There are no notes or lice, and I can’t imagine it is worms or parasites because I checked all the other hens and they are perfectly normal and not missing any feathers. I am very nervous for her health, so any incite as to what is causing this and how I can help her would be greatly appreciated. For now, I have old plates in a large, separate coop that is built, so she has plenty of room to roam around outdoors and indoors by herself. Please let me know what this may be! I have included pictures so you can see how extreme her condition is.

 

[Got_The_Chick_Itch]

If it’s worms or parasites you can use diatomaceous earth and sprinkle some in her coop and feed it to her for a couple of weeks if she doesn’t have worms or parasites it won’t hurt her.

 

[Chickenlady002]

If it’s worms or parasites you can use diatomaceous earth and sprinkle some in her coop and feed it to her for a couple of weeks if she doesn’t have worms or parasites it won’t hurt her.

Thank you! I will do that! What confuses me though it that she is the only chicken experiencing this, if it was worms or parasites wouldn’t they all be affected?

 

[coach723]

She's molting. Molting can vary greatly, year to year, bird to bird. Some do this, like a feather explosion, others will molt more gradually. This one is having what is known as a hard molt. New feathers growing in can be uncomfortable so they may be standoffish or stay farther from flock mates. Handle gently and only when necessary, it's uncomfortable.
https://www.wideopenpets.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-molting-chickens/

 

[Got_The_Chick_Itch]

Yes

 

[Got_The_Chick_Itch]

But the diatomaceous earth will help prevent worms or parasites.

 

[coach723]

DE is useless as an internal treatment for parasites. Externally the risks of respiratory irritation are higher than any rewards. It simply is ineffective. If you have internal parasites (a fecal float test is the best way to know) then the appropriate medication would be the best treatment. For lice or mites, a permethrin spray or dust.
This bird is molting, it's not an issue of parasites.

 

[Chickenlady002]

She's molting. Molting can vary greatly, year to year, bird to bird. Some do this, like a feather explosion, others will molt more gradually. This one is having what is known as a hard molt. New feathers growing in can be uncomfortable so they may be standoffish or stay farther from flock mates. Handle gently and only when necessary, it's uncomfortable.
https://www.wideopenpets.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-molting-chickens/

Okay, thank you so much for this information! I will wait then before treating her.

 

[Chickenlady002]

DE is useless as an internal treatment for parasites. Externally the risks of respiratory irritation are higher than any rewards. It simply is ineffective. If you have internal parasites (a fecal float test is the best way to know) then the appropriate medication would be the best treatment. For lice or mites, a permethrin spray or dust.
This bird is molting, it's not an issue of parasites.

Okay, thanks for letting me know!