Hen is molting and its freezing

[CookieChicken18]

Hello! I have a black australorp hen who is molting, but its getting down to freezing temperatures at night. Normally I wouldn't be concerned because of her heavy feather coat but she's losing more feathers by the day. Should I be worried? Is there something else I should do?

Also, its worth noting that the way the roosting bars are positioned they might be able to feel some wind coming in from the vents at the top of the coop.

Thanks!

 

[Chickiemom25]

Hello! I have a black australorp hen who is molting, but its getting down to freezing temperatures at night. Normally I wouldn't be concerned because of her heavy feather coat but she's losing more feathers by the day. Should I be worried? Is there something else I should do?

Also, its worth noting that the way the roosting bars are positioned they might be able to feel some wind coming in from the vents at the top of the coop.

Thanks!

if she gets cold she should get between a couple other hens hopefully. I put a feather fixer feed out during molt. Unfortunately they all seem to do it right as the temp plummets. Good luck!

 

[Mrs. K]

Years ago, I had a leghorn molt hard, within days she was nearly naked and it was chilly, but her feathers just grew back as fast, and she did fine!

 

[lazy gardener]

I had a RIR who would do a hard molt in the dead of every winter. 2 Winters in a row, cold snap with temps that didn't even get UP to freezing, and she did fine.

 

[centrarchid]

Occasionally my American Dominique engage in such a molting pattern, especially after being broody late in the season. They will take advantage of warmer locations like exposed to full sun and insulated from wind during the day. They will also spend lots of time on dry loose hay that keeps their feet away from cold surfaces like provided by highly conductive soil. If you check their crops about dark you may find such hens are trying to pack more nutrients in as well so I make certain food it not limiting for such birds at end of the day.

 

[chickens really]

I feed my Chickens Grower feed at 18% all year..During moult I toss out dry Cat food a few times a week..Feathers are protein so the added protein help in feather growth...No need for Oyster shell if Hens are not laying..

 

[aart]

Should I be worried?
Is there something else I should do?

Nah.....have a had few bare backers go thru frigid winters.
Add animal protein to their diet, will help grow feathers back faster.

 

[Cacique500]

Here's my BA who's molting (pic taken yesterday). We're down to mid-40's right now at night. She sat on my lap yesterday and shivered...it was pretty sad! But last night she got in between two other hens and did fine. Just make sure there's no drafts that hit her. I'll never understand why chickens don't molt in the summer when it's 105 degrees...they wait until it's freezing cold to get naked!

 

[Chickiemama68]

Hello! I have a black australorp hen who is molting, but its getting down to freezing temperatures at night. Normally I wouldn't be concerned because of her heavy feather coat but she's losing more feathers by the day. Should I be worried? Is there something else I should do?

Also, its worth noting that the way the roosting bars are positioned they might be able to feel some wind coming in from the vents at the top of the coop.

Thanks!

 

[Chickiemama68]

I seem to have a different opinion than the others, but then again I'm relatively new at having chickens. This is my first Ohio winter with them. I have a hen that went into a hard molt right before the temps dipped below zero. She large bare spots all over her, so I brought her into the semi heated garage as she grows her new feathers. The molt started after her flock mate was attacked and killed by a predator and she began avoiding the other chickens about this time.
Right now she is happily roosting in the kids cubby space and will stay there until the weather changes or she gets her feathers back. She wouldnt eat while in the coop and after a few days in the garage, has started to perk up and eat again.