Hard molting hen advice

[Pooders5]

It is below zero here in Ont and i have a poor hen (currently in my house) that is very, very bald. What is the best thing for her? All the advice is different; leave her in the coop, bring her in, sweater, no sweater...just to put it out there i did order her a sweater but it won't be here for a week or more. She just looked so miserable this afternoon standing in a corner shivering and trying to fluff up feathers that aren't there.
Any suggestions?

 

[ValerieJ]

I don't know what is right or wrong in your situation, but I'll tell you what I would do if she were mine. I would keep her inside, feed her some high protein feed, and boost her with some electrolytes. I realize you will then have the whole integration thing to go through, but my tolerance level is low for suffering chickens, so that's what I would do. Do you have an appropriate place for her inside? A laundry room? Spare bath? I have a work room in the garage that is heated, so that's where I keep sick bay.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x @ValerieJ Bring her in and you can integrate later.
You may want to try putting her in a wire cage in the coop w/heat source. For sure up the protein to help her feathers coming in; Feather Fixer or Flock Raiser, moisten dry cat food, scrambled/boiled eggs, tuna, tofu, mealworms ....

 

[Pooders5]

I should put her the molt contest, she really looks sad! I don't have a spot to put her really. My sick bay in the past has been the bathroom in a crate which she is in right now.

 

[ValerieJ]

I should put her the molt contest, she really looks sad! I don't have a spot to put her really. My sick bay in the past has been the bathroom in a crate which she is in right now.

If you can tolerate a crate in your bathroom for a while, that works. I have a dog crate that I use for sick bay.

Do you have electricity to the coop? Is the coop large enough to accommodate that crate? If you can give her a heat source out there, I would agree with @ChickNanny13 to keep her there. But heat would be important, so that depends on your situation.

What do you use when you brood chicks? that might work also.

 

[ValerieJ]

You should definitely enter her in the contest. It might lift her spirits when she wins!!

 

[micstrachan]

Yeah, let’s see her! I’d probably just bring her in. Is she eating? Mine starve themselves during molt. I’d let her mix with the flock daily so she doesn’t lose he’d rank, if possible. Sis there a favorite friend who could come inside with her?

 

[Acre4Me]

I’d be inclined to take her in for the nights, but out in the run during the day. We had a pullet that had an injury, so we had her in a cage in the barn for nights. We would take her in before roosting and the pecking order issues, then put her outside about 30 min to an hour after letting the flock out (more pecking order issues around food first thing in the morning).

For you, the harder part is the fact that she will be in a warm environment (bathroom) then out in the cold during the day. However, even if you keep her inside 24/7, she won’t be acclimated to the cold AND she’ll have to re-integrate!

I’d try to take her in for the nights, but keep her somewhere not so warm if possible (garage, Enclosed/protected porch or 3-season room, etc). Give her some high protein feed or treats, such as meat or egg. Put her out during the day.
Good luck! I hope she grows back her feathers quickly!

 

[Pooders5]

Sorry , i i haven't been on again until now. She has been inside and now looks like a cross between a chicken and a porcupine, feathers are growing fast! Thanks for everyone's advice.