Hard molt during winter freeze

[Arnolds2638]

My favorite girl decided to a hard molt just as we are receiving unexpected freeze in Southeast (20s-30s F). I have put in supplemental heat to the hen house (standing heated brooder plate as well as hanging ceramic terrarium bulbs from lamp x2). Covered the window. Wrapped entire run in tarp or plastic. I'm not worried about my feathered girls, just the naked one. I had been giving her sunflower seeds and worms, oatmeal, and gave her a can of tuna. I was hoping to let her ride it out, but every time I saw her she was just shivering, and she has lost sooo much weight. Full of just pins but not really any feathers. I caved this morning and brought her inside the house. She ate a ton of feed and is now resting. House is 68 degrees and I didn't give any more than that.

How long do I let her stay in house? How can I get her used to going back outside again when I do? What temp in hen house would be reasonable to have her return? Planning to get thermometer and another plate heater and see what temps look like in there. Other girls choosing to mostly hang out in there throughout day too.

For reference we built the garden coop (run about 8x6 with hen house about 3x6). Hen house fully enclosed outside of small chicken door that leads to run. Only 5 total chickens including the one molting. See pics below. Sorry for the poopy butt of Big Bertha the blue laced red Wyandotte.

 

[Arnolds2638]

 

[Arnolds2638]

The coop when it was first built. It is currently all wrapped

 

[TooCheep]

She'll be fine if she goes back out fairly soon- within a few days. I had to do the same a couple of times in the last week when it went down to single digits overnight. One of mine is only partially refeathered, but definitely still has significant spots open to the cold, so I've been babying her. I don't want to separate her, but I also don't want her to get any damage either.

I keep my girl in an enclosure in my attached garage. It is cool in there, but not freezing. I want to protect her, but not get her used to household temps which will be a shock when she goes back outside.

PS- One suggestion from someone who has to deal with a lot more cold. I'd recommend leaving one side of the run open (away from the wind). They'll get plenty of ventilation, no real drafts or water/snow penetration and it won't make a real difference in temps.

 

[Arnolds2638]

Thanks! I didn't want her wither away and freeze to death, but keeping her in the house more than a few days is less than ideal. I was afraid taking her in meant I had to keep her in until weather improves, which isn't for another 2 weeks. Hoping her feathers keep coming and she continues to eat well. As for ventilation, there are still a few areas not perfectly covered in wrap. And the roof is ultimately open. There is hardware cloth as the ceiling and the plastic roof sits several inches above that.

 

[P_Dub]

Poor baby! One of my girls decided that she'd wait until a winter cold snap to lose all of the feathers on her back, however she isn't shivering so I've left her outside and have kept a close eye on her.
I'd agree with TooCheep that she can go back outside in a few days, as her pin feathers come in. (If you put her out and she keeps shivering, you can always bring her back in!)

 

[RoyalChick]

Poor girl. I have two who dropped all their feathers just as the temperatures plummeted. Do you have an unheated garage? I worry about big swings in temperature being a bit of a shock so prefer to bring into the garage that stays above freezing but not as warm as the house. Maybe she could have a half-way house in the garage before going back out?

 

[TooCheep]

As for ventilation, there are still a few areas not perfectly covered in wrap. And the roof is ultimately open. There is hardware cloth as the ceiling and the plastic roof sits several inches above that.

OK. That sounds good. Just for future reference, you don't have to wrap all 4 sides for winter protection. Just the 2-3 sides where wind and rain/snow might enter.

 

[Arnolds2638]

Thanks so much for the help!! In Atlanta, cold isn't usually the issue. I've had chickens 4.5 years now, but this molting in a cold snap is new!!

 

[Arnolds2638]

Poor baby! One of my girls decided that she'd wait until a winter cold snap to lose all of the feathers on her back, however she isn't shivering so I've left her outside and have kept a close eye on her.
I'd agree with TooCheep that she can go back outside in a few days, as her pin feathers come in. (If you put her out and she keeps shivering, you can always bring her back in!)

Great idea. Thanks!