Hello! I'm a newbie and have question

[Minihen]

So glad for this forum--got my girls last Mar so this is first winter. I have 2 barred rocks and 3 golden comets. Had a rooster named Rosie but that's another story! One of the rocks, Riley, is dropping feathers and i think she is the one not laying. (only getting 4 eggs daily) She's first in and last out of coop, but is eating. What could be the problem and how to fix? Many thanx.

 

[CrestedGirl]

&

from north Texas

so glad you joined us

I think your girl is molting (molting is annual, they lose their old feathers and grow new ones) when a hen is molting she also stops laying too

 

[S&N Livestock]

from Ohio

 

[peepacheep]

Welcome to BYC Minihen! Like CrestedGirl said, it sounds like your hen is molting. For the past month my coop has looked like a massive pillow fight happened. Only 2 out 12 hens have been laying since the molting started, now one of those 2 are dropping feathers. Between molting, less daylight and colder weather my hens take a bit of a vacation this time of year from laying.

 

[Imp]

Imp

 

[kidcody]

from WA. glad you joined us!
Yes, when they start to molt they can look rather raged and sad looking! Give them a little extra protein during this time which will help bring there new feathers in a little faster. I have one hen that looks like a mess!

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC. You can give your molting BR gamebird feed which is higher in protein than normal layer feed. It'll help with feather regrowth. Once she's feathered out, return to layer feed.

 

[GoldenSparrow]

Welcome!!!!!!!!

 

[CheerioLounge]

from Twentynine Palms, CA You'll find a lot of friendly, knowledgeable folks here who love to help!!

Sounds like molt to me too! She'll be pretty again in no time!! And laying again too!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from michigan