Help with sick bird?

[Maine Chicken]

Hi, hoping someone can give me some direction. I have 3 RIR that are approx. 18 mos. old. My best layer (her name is Thyme), appears to be going through a severe moult-her first ever. She has lost all of the feathers on her chest, tail, and legs. In itself, I guess that wouldn't be strange (except that neither of the other 2 are doing it). But she has a rather large lump (size of a half dollar) where her breast is. It appears to be right of center. Do you think she has a growth, or is this a normal part of the chicken anatomy? Sorry for the newbie questions. Also, it is getting quite cold up here. Without these feathers, isn't she going to get excessively cold? I put some heat lamps in the coop today just to help out. She is so small. It seems like something is wrong. Any thoughts? Worried Dad...

 

[pips&peeps]

18 mos is the normal time for hens to molt. You are probably just seeing her crop, normal part of anatomy.

 

[matthewschickens]

WELCOME!

That is where her food goes and so if it is big then your hen is eating well!

Matthew

 

[Maine Chicken]

Thank you so much for the quick responses! Greatly appreciated. Any thoughts on the cold and lack of feathers. Is it usually an issue for them?

 

[Imp]

That sounds like a serious molt. Be sure to keep her warm. I don't think Maine is that warm this time of year. Some chickens don't go through a serious molt. Mine never look scraggly, just lose feathers. This year I had one actually lose all her feathers on her head. So bald for a while.
The lump on Thyme is probably her crop (food storage before her stomach). I'll go look for a link to a better descrption.

Imp

See others have already answered.