hen never molted

[merry hens]

hi,

my barred rock hen never molted last year. shes almost completely bald and the few feathers she does have are extremely worn, some are completely worn down to the follicle (the ones on her back where she is mated with). She recently grew like one feather on her wing last week. She has hideously bright red skin. will she get sunburned? I would like to see those lovely black and white feathers again. Is there a way to induce feather growth?

Mary

 

[Judy]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3569

It would help if you would answer the questions in this thread. In this case, I would include the protein content of the feed, the dimensions of the housing and run, and the number of birds there.

 

[merry hens]

okay, heres the answers to those questions.

1) She's a barred rock hen, 2-3 years old. Not sure of the exact age, she was given to me by a friend last fall.
2) Behavior is normal, active and alert. She is very aggressive though, I have seen her try to mount other hens. Lays eggs regulary.
3) No signs of trauma, just baldness.
4) I don't know what caused this.
5) She eats 16% protein lay pellets, scratch, table scraps, and is free ranged. They have a 10x16 coop at night and are free ranged during the day. She is housed in a flock of 45 chickens, including 5 roosters.
6) Poop is normal.
7) I haven't tried doing anything about this so far. I was trying to wait to see if she would molt late, but so far has only grown in one feather.
8 ) I do not intend on taking this bird to a vet, because it does not appear that her life is jeopardized. If I can treat her myself, I will.
9) I'll try to get a pic soon.
10) See 5). In the chicken house is regular shavings. Its raked daily and litter is replaced on a monthly basis.

 

[Judy]

I assume you are not talking about cedar shavings.

I don't have any "for sure" answer for you, but this will give you a bump, and tells others what they need to know. That's over 3.5 sq ft per bird, which I would think would be enough with them free ranging, even though it's a little less than 4 sq ft/bird. I know they need plenty of protein to grow feathers. You are feeding what should be a good diet, but we can't know how much protein they get when they find some of their own food, of course. Personally, I would offer her some extra protein daily -- don't see how it can hurt, and maybe it will help.

I am wondering if this is what they call a "hard molt." Also wonder if she is at the bottom of the pecking order and they are pulling her feathers.

I do believe they can get sunburned, yes. I have some that free range and they stay in the shade in the middle of the day. If you want, you could make her a freebie chicken saddle to protect her back:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=167 and scroll most of the way down the page.

 

[merry hens]

Thanks a lot!
You mentioned that she might be at the bottom of the pecking order. This is unlikely because she seems to be my most aggressive hen, always bossing the others around. I have not seen any pecking going on.

They have plenty of shade that they stay under most of the day, but I am going to keep an eye on her to make sure she's not getting sunburnt.

What can I give her as extra protein? Would a daily serving a hardboiled eggs or beans suffice or is their a special type of feed I can get?

Mary

 

[Judy]

Hardboiled eggs would certainly work, especially the whites. Chickens like meat and fish, too; you could give her a bit of your hamburger patty or whatever. It is said cat and dog food aren't so good because of other ingredients. Sometimes I buy a can of canned mackerel, around $1.50 for a good sized can (12 oz.?) and it is plenty for a few days for a group of chickens. I don't know whether beans would give much extra protein -- they must be cooked, btw. Yogurt is good. Mine love shredded cheese, probably a bit high in fat and salt, but once in a while I figure I can get away with it. Lots of people give cottage cheese. And people also give black oil sunflower seeds for protein. I have no idea how much protein they provide, but mine won't eat them, anyway. Game bird feed is higher in protein than chicken feed, too. Maybe give it like you give scratch, as a treat.

Have you seen the BYC treat chart? Probably there are some other high protein ideas there, too:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart



Whatever she will eat.

 

[merry hens]

Thank you so much! We have lots of extra eggs around that they like hardboiled but I have some gamebird food around for my quail that I can give her as well.