Feather loss/regrowth

[SunAngel]

I purchased a black standard hen (not sure what kind yet) last night at the auction and when I got her home I saw she had a bare patch on her back from over breeding. Her feathers are completely gone in that area and I am wondering if they will ever grow back? Otherwise she looks ok and maybe 1-2 yrs old is my best guess.

If they will grow back, would putting one of those chicken saddles over her bare skin hurt or help the healing process?

 

[silkieluver_07]

If one of your roos try to mate her, they may break open the skin. I would suggest getting a saddle for her. I just bought Peppi one.

www.mbldesigns.com They are pretty affordable. Did you get anything else at the sale last night?

 

[gumpsgirl]

The saddle would help the healing process by protecting her skin from any mating. You can purchase one, as silkieluver stated, or make one! FarmerKitty has a pattern posted and they look very easy to make. That way you wouldn't have to wait to get it and it would be much less expensive.

 

[SunAngel]

2 ducks, which I think are Blue Swedish. They were so pretty, but I quit bidding and when I said no, Gary said yes and the guy went with his answer and I got them lol And I got a box with 4 peeps in it, but I think they are males...one possibly might not be though.

Gary got a 10 ft tree for $5 that we had to stuff in my Durango lol.

Thanks, I will check out that saddle site. I haven't got to see her for very long to figure out if she's a keeper yet, but I will buy/make her something if she seems nice.

 

[SunAngel]

Thanks gumpsgirl! I will look for a pattern.

So do you know if her feathers will grow back once its down to bare skin?

I only have 1 roo and he hasn't figured out his job yet, so she is safe for awhile anyways lol.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Yes! The feathers will grow back, but her back needs to be protected during this process. Any mating during the time that the feathers are re-growing, could break the new feathers off and you will be back at square one.

Here's a link to Farmer Kitty's patterns. https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=4031-Patterns

 

[SunAngel]

Awesome, thanks much!

I was just out there for a bit, and she seems like a nice girl. She should be pretty once those feathers grow back. I will work on the saddle for her today