Feathers still gone after molting

[PlymouthRockBBredSebright]

Like I said before, 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)

If you have not been giving them any of these things then it is from a lack of protein and calcium. Simply give some of these things to speed up feather regeneration

 

[PlymouthRockBBredSebright]

It was

their first molt, so hoping that is the issue. I'll wait a bit and try some of the protein tips to see if it helps. Thanks!!!

No problem!

 

[RodNTN]

What kind of feed are you giving them? Maybe you could try a Feather Fixer feed...
https://www.nutrenaworld.com/product/naturewise-feather-fixer-poultry-feed

 

[PlymouthRockBBredSebright]

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!

Maybe give them just a little more mealworms too...... my hens get them everyday, they have no negative health properties, so it is okay

 

[RodNTN]

Could you post a picture? Are they completely featherless?

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

One of mine molted right when it got really cold. I supplemented with dry cat food (38% protein)

 

[Higgshappychickens]

What kind of feed are you giving them? Maybe you could try a Feather Fixer feed...
https://www.nutrenaworld.com/product/naturewise-feather-fixer-poultry-feed

Great idea. I'll check out the link, thanks!!!

 

[Higgshappychickens]

One of mine molted right when it got really cold. I supplemented with dry cat food (38% protein)

Great tip. Thanks!!

 

[RodNTN]

Great idea. I'll check out the link, thanks!!!

You're welcome, best wishes!

 

[GC-Raptor]

My 22 month old hens had their first molt, December, January and February.
The bottom of the pecking order was not growing her feathers back, then I caught a hen plucking her pin feathers. I bought some pinless peepers and put them on 3 of my 5 hens. Two of them do not pluck feathers but Chase her away from treats, so I put the peepers on them too. .
Two weeks later and she is nearly fully feathered.
I now feed an 18% layers feed year round. I believe from experience that 16% Protein is not enough for a backyard flock of egg laying chickens. I believe 18 to 20% Protein is much better, from day old chicks right through adulthood. They are Golden Comets and never stopped laying, but they did slow down to as low as 20 eggs one week in January. I got 27 eggs last week and 28 this week. GC