HELP! Sudden Feather Loss (PHOTOS)

[plaidapus]

Hello friends,

One of my hens (2 years old) began rapidly losing her feathers 2 days ago and is having watery green poops. None of the other birds appear symptomatic.

She went broody about 2 weeks ago and was plucking her front breast feathers. This ended last week. Her behavior otherwise seems normal, though I'm not sure she if is laying since going broody. She seems to be eating/drinking regularly.

Background information:

• The feathers are coming from her chest, backside, and back. There seems to be some regrowth already starting. None of the longer feathers from her wings or tail and none from her head.
• The feathers appear to be falling out naturally. She is not being bullied by the other chickens nor pulling out her own feathers.
• She had her first molt in December this year and it was normal and not similar to this.
• I cannot find any evidence of mites or lice. I have dusted the coop and birds with DE out of caution.
• The poop made me wonder if it could be coccidiosis, but I don't notice any other symptoms and we live in a very dry environment. No apparent respiratory distress or signs of Newcastle.
• I have been trying to supplement with extra protein to help with regrowing the feathers. I don't know if this may be actually causing the green poops.

I appreciate any questions/suggestions/thoughts/ideas as I'm very nervous. We have Marek's in our flock and lost 4 birds to it our first year, despite having them all vaccinated.

 

[centrarchid]

She has been stressed by broodiness that also likely put a hold on molting process up to end of broodiness. Now her system is going into a more intense molt. Being warm still she should not have trouble dealing with cold. Up her protein level a little and do not handle he as much.

It is difficult to make call on one fecal sample, especially when cecal poop appears involved.

 

[Aunt Angus]

That's a pretty rough molt. Poor girl.

 

[plaidapus]

She has been stressed by broodiness that also likely put a hold on molting process up to end of broodiness. Now her system is going into a more intense molt. Being warm still she should not have trouble dealing with cold. Up her protein level a little and do not handle he as much.

It is difficult to make call on one fecal sample, especially when cecal poop appears involved.

Thank you -- that's what I was hoping to hear. She seems very warm.