Hen lost lots of feathers.

[jnicholes]

My chicken got in a fight with something. We’re still trying to figure out what happened.

Anyway, she lost a lot of feathers. She’s moving around OK, but she’s obviously lost a lot of feathers. I think it was a fight with a feral cat or something.

Is there anything I can do to help her get her feathers back? She does not seem injured in any other way.

Is there anything I can do to help this chicken?

 

[AshVau22]

How old is she? She looks like she's molting.

 

[AshVau22]

If possible get some up close pictures of the feather loss areas. You'll be able to see new feather growth if she's is indeed molting.

 

[jnicholes]

How old is she? She looks like she's molting.

We got them May 8, 2024. She was born May 1. The only exception to this is one of the hens that she hatched.

 

[jnicholes]

If possible get some up close pictures of the feather loss areas. You'll be able to see new feather growth if she's is indeed molting.

I can do that tomorrow, it’s pretty dark out right now.

 

[AshVau22]

She 19 months old she at the correct age to begin her first big molt. She'll probably get really naked in the next week or so. Don't worry it's completely normal. She'll regrow beautiful new feathers.

Some pictures of molting hens.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yes, Jared, they can get pretty ugly when they're "changing their clothes!" What are you feeding them right now? Look on the bag to see how much protein it contains. If it's a 16% layer feed you might want to switch them to a 20% "feather fixer" or "all-flock" formula. It won't have very much calcium in it, but molting birds typically don't lay much anyway. The extra protein can help with growing new feathers. You can put a dish of oyster shell in the coop and anyone who is laying will help themselves to all the calcium they need. Non-layers will leave it alone.

 

[jnicholes]

I got a better picture thanks to my trail camera.

She’s definitely molting. It looks like she’s growing new feathers.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh dear, lol! They do look pathetic when they molt, don't they? I had a couple that were absolutely hideous. Incidentally, as the pinfeathers grow in, they are full of blood and very sensitive. They do not want to be touched or held and may be very grumpy at any other hen that comes too close! They will get over it, but don't be surprised if your sweet girls turn into monsters for a few weeks!

 

[jnicholes]

don't be surprised if your sweet girls turn into monsters for a few weeks!

Speaking of monsters, there was another picture my trail camera picked up. It almost looks like a horror movie poster.