Feather loss - please help. Trying to find a solution.

[chick n lay dee]

Hey all - ok, this is my RIR - he's had this weird missing patch of feathers for about a year. When new feathers were trying to come in, they'd just start to develop, but never made it to full-feather. Is there something I can put on it to 1) keep him warm there and to avoid frostbite 2) discourage hens from picking the sprouted feathers (which may be why they never grew back. Thank you! (also, anyone know what feathers turning partially white mean??)

 

[GaNewChick]

I had a cochin hen that lost 75% of her feathers for about 1.5 years. I had to bring her into the garage during the winter months and then put her back out in the spring. Then all of sudden ~ about 4 months ago. BAM! She is fully feathered. Never could figure out what caused it as we tried several different things. They came back on their own. Who knows!!!