Feathers Going Downhill, Help!

[ChickenPeep]

Hello everyone!

My favorite chicken in the world is Ebony, a Cochin silkie cross. Ebony has the most beautiful, soft, black feathers. She is a house chicken.

But recently, I've noticed something. Her feathers are looking unhealthy. They are getting scraggly. It started a little while ago, and is getting worse. 3 years ago we had a different house chicken that had this same problem, but his was terrible, all his feathers looked awful and messed-up. I really don't want this to happen to Ebony! I've been getting her outside as much as possible because I don't want her gorgeous feathers to be ruined.

Is there anything I can do besides take her outside? Are there any vitamins that support healthy feathers? Ebony is so gorgeous and I want her to stay that way.

I would greatly appreciate any answers/advice anyone could give me, thanks!

This pic was taken over the summer.... her feathers don't look this good anymore.

 

[Suzie]

Could she by any chance be moulting? Moulting is natural in chickens and they can look really scruffy whilst going through moulting.

I am sure somebody here can recommend a food supplement that will help her regain her former glorious feathers - if indeed it is a moult.

I looked through the photographs of Ebony - she is beautiful! I have some Silkie/Cochin cross girls too!

Suzie

 

[ChickenPeep]

No, I don't think she's molting, she's only a year old. Thank you very much for your relpy.
Here is a picture of some of her feathers.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Chickens use a lot of protein to grow more feathers. You can supplement any high protein, meat scraps/fish, fermented soy. Or put her on a higher protein flock raiser feed for awhile.

I suspect she is molting also.

 

[ChickenPeep]

Thats what i was thinking, but she's not losing feathers. :/ And the chicken we had a few years ago had this some problem but wasn't molting.