Hard moult during cold snap

[Erin80]

My poor poor 21 month old barred rock Callie is in the middle of a crazy hard moult....during a horrendous cold snap (minus 25 degrees C). She has no feathers on her neck and right down her back. I haven't checked her underside as I don't want to touch her, she looks very uncomfortable.
Our coop is not insulated, and is free of drafts. It doesn't matter.....it's just plain cold. I'm reading conflicting information, so decided to ask here.....
Do I bring her into the basement for a while and let her feathers grow back?
Do I leave her outside and just increase protein?
I'm concerned with re-integrating her if I bring her in...and I'm also concerned she will lose some of her cold tolerance if she's in the house. I feel horrible leaving her out there though too.
Suggestions????

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I currently have one too who has decided to go through a second molt right now. She's holding her own. We got down to -26 Celsius, and we will get colder in the next week they are saying.

I would not bring yours in unless you see severe shivering or lethargy. And than I would only bring her in to warm up than back outside. You have to worry about integrating and acclimating if you bring her inside. It's in her own best interest to stay with the flock if possible.

It's extremely stressful on the bird that is removed as well. So make sure removal is the only option.

If she has problems you may have no choice. Personally if I had problems I would separate her out in the coop and give her a heat source like a plate to use if necessary.

Otherwise she will probably stick close to other birds to share their body heat.

 

[Erin80]

Poor girl. It's miserable to watch her go through that in this cold.

 

[Mrs. K]

I had one, that when I went into the chicken coop, I thought I had had a predator, as there were feathers everywhere, it looked like it had snowed. She seemed to have lost nearly all of her feather overnight. It was a very hard molt, but they grew back nearly as fast, within 2 weeks she was filling out, and by 3 weeks she was gorgeous.

The advice given ^^ is good advice, if lathargic - need to warm them up, but take them back out. Otherwise, leave them alone.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

Agrees with bringing her in for a 'reset' if she's acting lethargic.
Just an hour or two and not too warm a place....
.....give her a dose of electrolytes and some feed.