Feathers still gone after molting

Higgshappychickens

In the Brooder
Feb 10, 2018
14
38
38
Eight of my chickens molted for the first time last June and for many lasted most of the summer ( that was fun...not). Two of them still have only a few feathers on their head. I feel bad since I live in Michigan so it is very cold. They are healthy, happy gals but just wondering if anyone can provide suggestions to help re-grow their feathers so their heads can stay warm, short of knitting bonnets ha ha..
 
June is rather early for them to start moulting but something is definitely not right if they still have not grown their new feathers in.
Do you have a rooster? I'm wondering if this is mating damage rather than moulting.
Can you post a photo of them?
How old are they?
 
To be able to regrow feathers quickly, hens will need lots of extra protein and calcium, since this is what feathers are built up of. Give them some oyster shells (crushed) and here is a list of ten protein-high things to give your chickens to help them along:
1. COOKED eggs (feeding raw eggs can lead to egg-eating)
2. Meat (cooked beef, lamb, or pork scraps)
3.Fish (cooked)
4. Shellfish (Shrimp and lobster, shell and all, cooked)
5. Mealworms (dried, one of the best forms of protein!)
6. Oats (raw or cooked)
7. Sprouts (sprouted beans and legumes)
8. Chicken feed (higher in protein than layer rations, it would be good to mix them together)
9. Nuts and seeds
10. Poultry (chicken and turkey are great protein (yes, chicken!) sources for molted hens)

Hopes this helps your ladies! All these things are very healthy for hens as well!
 
June is rather early for them to start moulting but something is definitely not right if they still have not grown their new feathers in.
Do you have a rooster? I'm wondering if this is mating damage rather than moulting.
Can you post a photo of them?
How old are they?

Not necessarily "not right". Young hens often take their time when molting.
 
June is rather early for them to start moulting but something is definitely not right if they still have not grown their new feathers in.
Do you have a rooster? I'm wondering if this is mating damage rather than moulting.
Can you post a photo of them?
How old are they?
No roosters, just 8 hens in one coop. They all will be 2 years old in May. They get along pretty well, however one can be a bully at times
 
To be able to regrow feathers quickly, hens will need lots of extra protein and calcium, since this is what feathers are built up of. Give them some oyster shells (crushed) and here is a list of ten protein-high things to give your chickens to help them along:
1. COOKED eggs (feeding raw eggs can lead to egg-eating)
2. Meat (cooked beef, lamb, or pork scraps)
3.Fish (cooked)
4. Shellfish (Shrimp and lobster, shell and all, cooked)
5. Mealworms (dried, one of the best forms of protein!)
6. Oats (raw or cooked)
7. Sprouts (sprouted beans and legumes)
8. Chicken feed (higher in protein than layer rations, it would be good to mix them together)
9. Nuts and seeds
10. Poultry (chicken and turkey are great protein (yes, chicken!) sources for molted hens)

Hopes this helps your ladies! All these things are very healthy for hens as well!
Thank you for these tips, I cook them eggs every weekend and dried mealworms a few times a week as treats.. I will try the oyster shells and nuts & seeds. Thanks!
 

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