Hello all! New to chickens and new help

[chipNdale]

I've taken over my sisters lovely chickens and they are great. One of them seams to be stressing out way too much. She has started loosing ALL her feathers. She's about 3 years old and doesn't lay anymore. I love her in my coop still, but not sure if she's Dying. Not sure what to do with her. Also have one hen that's coughing. Do chickens get sick? For the 9 chickens I have, I'm doing great with them and they are all still alive...well most of them. Poor small fry is not looking so hot! Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! I would post immediately on the Emergencies forum with as much detail as you can, hope someone can help you, good luck. https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

It sounds like the hen may be in a hard molt. It can look quite bad when they do this:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/580915/for-the-new-folks-that-havent-experienced-a-molt-yet

The coughing hen I would isolate and as Liz suggested above, post in the Emergencies and Disease section with as much detail as possible. Good luck with her!

 

[AK Baha]

 

[Cluky]

she could be moulting. sometimes hen they start thy look pathetic

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! Happy you joined!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. As others have mentioned, the hen losing her feathers is most likely in a molt. The 'coughing' hen may be a more serious problem.

 

[drumstick diva]

The hen does sound like she is in full molt - they can end up nearly bald and very moth eaten. Added protein will help for regrowing new feathers. Also at her age she won't be laying as well as when she was younger.

Is the coughing something new in the other bird, or did she arrive that way? Does your sister have any advice to offer?

 

[dschicken]

Hi, sounds like she's in molt and yes chickens can get sick. Hope all goes well.