Hen losing weight and feathers

[rebrascora]

She looks like a legbar cross.
I agree that she appears to be moulting and it can make them feel under the weather and affects their appetite. Mine also really seem to enjoy greens like spinach and kale when they are moulting. I hang a bunch each day and they pick it clean. Hopefully she will be feeling better soon.

 

[Ash.M]

I do see pin feathers coming in on her neck, so yes, she's molting.

Not a Barred Plymouth Rock I would say she is a Crested..... errr...LOL I don't know since you say she lays green eggs. A Crested Cream Legbar (I thinks) lays blue eggs so wouldn't be that, but she is a Crested "something"

I would give the Nutri-Drench for a couple of days. They just don't feel really well at all during molt. At least most of mine don't.
I use 20% feed year round, but if you're giving something like layer feed that is around 16-17% give her a boost of protein (egg, tuna, meat, quality canned cat/dog food). A little will do her. They also seem to crave dark green veggies (kale, brocolli), a little of something like that every few days may entice her too.

My 9 month girl was fairly droopy for weeks and standoffish. If you notice her really isolating herself (sleeping in the corner, laying down a lot) then check her even more.

I would still give her a crop check every other day or so just to make sure they crop is empty in the morning.

She's a lovely girl

Thank you so much for all of your help and support. I really appreciate your wonderful advice! She is such an active and sweet (to people, less sweet to new chickens ) girl normally it's been concerning to see her feel rotten. We lost a few chicks to some type of virus or other pathogen when they were little so I think I'm a little paranoid. Thanks for easing my concerns.

Is she ok to stay outside in single digit temperatures with the feather loss? We have a low of 4 degrees F on Monday that I'm worried about. Their coop had been keeping them about 10-15 degrees warmer than outside temperatures . She also roosts next to our Wyandotte.

Thanks again for all of your help! Penny says thank you as well

 

[Ash.M]

She looks like a legbar cross.
I agree that she appears to be moulting and it can make them feel under the weather and affects their appetite. Mine also really seem to enjoy greens like spinach and kale when they are moulting. I hang a bunch each day and they pick it clean. Hopefully she will be feeling better soon.

Thank you very much. I will get her some kale and spinach to enjoy!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you so much for all of your help and support. I really appreciate your wonderful advice! She is such an active and sweet (to people, less sweet to new chickens ) girl normally it's been concerning to see her feel rotten. We lost a few chicks to some type of virus or other pathogen when they were little so I think I'm a little paranoid. Thanks for easing my concerns.

Is she ok to stay outside in single digit temperatures with the feather loss? We have a low of 4 degrees F on Monday that I'm worried about. Their coop had been keeping them about 10-15 degrees warmer than outside temperatures . She also roosts next to our Wyandotte.

Thanks again for all of your help! Penny says thank you as well

Yes, I would leave her in the coop. She should be fine as long as she has protection from the wind.
Keep in mind that in winter, coops still need plenty of ventilation and air flow - even in very cold temperatures, so don't close up your vents.

I've had naked molting birds in those temperatures and they were just fine, your girl still has plenty of feathers to keep her insulated

 

[Ash.M]

Yes, I would leave her in the coop. She should be fine as long as she has protection from the wind.
Keep in mind that in winter, coops still need plenty of ventilation and air flow - even in very cold temperatures, so don't close up your vents.

I've had naked molting birds in those temperatures and they were just fine, your girl still has plenty of feathers to keep her insulated

Thank you!

 

[Tomica]

I do see pin feathers coming in on her neck, so yes, she's molting.

Not a Barred Plymouth Rock I would say she is a Crested..... errr...LOL I don't know since you say she lays green eggs. A Crested Cream Legbar (I thinks) lays blue eggs so wouldn't be that, but she is a Crested "something"

I would give the Nutri-Drench for a couple of days. They just don't feel really well at all during molt. At least most of mine don't.
I use 20% feed year round, but if you're giving something like layer feed that is around 16-17% give her a boost of protein (egg, tuna, meat, quality canned cat/dog food). A little will do her. They also seem to crave dark green veggies (kale, brocolli), a little of something like that every few days may entice her too.

My 9 month girl was fairly droopy for weeks and standoffish. If you notice her really isolating herself (sleeping in the corner, laying down a lot) then check her even more.

I would still give her a crop check every other day or so just to make sure they crop is empty in the morning.

She's a lovely girl

I’d say she’s an Easter egger. I e had a few of them. Not bad chickens . But yes, I also agree with the others. She’s molting and will soon come back around to feeling better.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’d say she’s an Easter egger. I e had a few of them. Not bad chickens . But yes, I also agree with the others. She’s molting and will soon come back around to feeling better.

Welcome To BYC @Tomica
This thread is from 2018