Failing to thrive

[TMartin2017]

Hi all,
This is my first flock, I have 5 ameracauna's about 8 months old. I was out of town about a week & when I returned I found one of them is much skinnier than the others and seems to be loosing feathers around the back of her neck. Our weather has been a bit drastic, down to about 10 at night & back up to 60 during the day but their coop is well insulated. We do not have a local vet that treats farm animals so if you have ANY advice I'd greatly appreciate it!

 

[aart]

I'm no expert by any means, I'm sure one of them will be along shortly. However, my 8-month old BO is molting, mostly on her neck. I noticed new pin feathers today. Have you looked for new feathers? They may also lose weight while molting. I thought this couldn't happen their first fall but evidently, not so!

To be on the safe side check for mites and lice, too. In the absence of new feathers, or mites or lice, make sure she isn't being bullied and kept from her food.

Something to think on while you wait for the big guns to arrive.

That's exactly what I was going to suggest.
They can lose weight, but first will just look skinnier because of loss of feathers.

I do not recommend worming, even holistically, without having a fecal done first.
Can cause more problems that it might solve.
Keep them on a good balanced ration, plenty of fresh plain water, and minimal 'treats'.

ETA: The term 'Failure to Thrive' is usually applied to very young chicks who never grow and/or behave 'normally' from the get go.

 

[aart]

Multiple feeders around the coop and run.
Might want to use a higher protein feed.
or give them some canned fish, or meat scraps, or mealworms or cooked eggs.

 

[Huntsville Saloon]

I was out of town about a week & when I returned I found one of them is much skinnier than the others and seems to be loosing feathers around the back of her neck.

My 8 month old Speckled Sussex is molting right now and just the back of her neck, so it can happen at this time of year. Pin feathers are obvious, so check that. Losing weight is a bit concerning. They need protein when molting, so ensure you are feeding a high protein feed. I am using pullet developer with free choice oyster shell on the side for the layers.

 

[jeepgrrl]

My girls are all 8 months old. My Barred Rock started molting about a month ago and my Cuckoo Marans just started the end of last week. Both have the pin feathers at the neck. The BR looks a little thin but she is eating and acting ok so I'm not too concerned. Three of the other girls (White Leghorn, Black Austrolorp, NH Red) are laying and haven't started to molt. My Welsummer isn't molting and hasn't really laid any eggs yet but has been interested in the nest box lately and seemed a bit broody today so I'm not sure what's up with that.

 

[path.otto]

I'm no expert by any means, I'm sure one of them will be along shortly. However, my 8-month old BO is molting, mostly on her neck. I noticed new pin feathers today. Have you looked for new feathers? They may also lose weight while molting. I thought this couldn't happen their first fall but evidently, not so!

To be on the safe side check for mites and lice, too. In the absence of new feathers, or mites or lice, make sure she isn't being bullied and kept from her food.

Something to think on while you wait for the big guns to arrive.

 

[TMartin2017]

My 8 month old Speckled Sussex is molting right now and just the back of her neck, so it can happen at this time of year. Pin feathers are obvious, so check that. Losing weight is a bit concerning. They need protein when molting, so ensure you are feeding a high protein feed. I am using pullet developer with free choice oyster shell on the side for the layers.

I'm feeding a lay mash with oyster & grit each on the side. I will check for pin feathers as soon as I get home. Thank you!

 

[aart]

As far as meat goes, are we talking raw or cooked? Anything I should avoid?

I give cooked meat scraps from my meals and cut it up into ~1/2" pieces.
They could eat raw too.
All in moderation.

 

[path.otto]

@TMartin2017. Today I got home to see that the other pullets had been pecking at my BO's neck. They are not molting and were probably curious about the new feathers. There were flecks of blood so to be on the safe side she is now in a crate until her feathers come in. She went from most of her feathers on the back of her neck to almost nothing except the pin feathers.

Just be aware in case your pullet is molting.

 

[TMartin2017]

I'm no expert by any means, I'm sure one of them will be along shortly. However, my 8-month old BO is molting, mostly on her neck. I noticed new pin feathers today. Have you looked for new feathers? They may also lose weight while molting. I thought this couldn't happen their first fall but evidently, not so!

To be on the safe side check for mites and lice, too. In the absence of new feathers, make sure she isn't being bullied and kept from her food (or have mites or lice).

Something to think on while you wait for the big guns to arrive.

Thank you! I will check for all 3. Do you deworm your chickens on a regular basis or as needed? What product would you recommend?