Hen sick? Over molting?

[Bananafish79]

Help my comet hen looks bad. She’s shivering and has white patches of feathers like she’s over molting. We live in eastern PA. What could this be?

 

[Aapomp831]

Can you post pictures?
If she’s molting, I would say the shivering is bc of the missing patches of feathers, like wearing a jacket with large holes in it. Might be best to bring her in to a warmer location out of wind - like a garage or back porch. No heat necessary, that would be too much. Just out of the elements for now, and take this time to examine her for mites, check her crop and poop daily and feed her extra protein like scrambled eggs or plain Greek yogurt for extra protein to aid in the regrowth of feathers.

 

[Eggcessive]

Could you get her warm and post some pictures? Make sure that she is drinking water.

 

[Bananafish79]

Pictures attached

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes she is going through a rough molt. Get her warm, and try to get her eating some high protein feed or supplement her feed with egg, tuna, canned catfood. Molt is a stressful time where sometimes serious illnesses can show up if they have been hiding under the radar.

 

[Bananafish79]

Could you get her warm and post some pictures? Make sure that she is drinking water.

I just refilled her water container. She’s had water but in a different bowl.

 

[Bananafish79]

Yes she is going through a rough molt. Get her warm, and try to get her eating some high protein feed or supplement her feed with egg, tuna, canned catfood. Molt is a stressful time where sometimes serious illnesses can show up if they have been hiding under the radar.

Ok I checked her and I didn’t see mites but her underside is very bare. Like I can see a bone or something running the length of her belly.

 

[David61]

I had to isolate one of mine as the flock was picking on her. she looked bald from molting. Make sure she is not being run off from the food and water.

 

[Eggcessive]

Ok I checked her and I didn’t see mites but her underside is very bare. Like I can see a bone or something running the length of her belly.

That is the keel or breast bone. Molting hens can easily be kept from food and water. Hopefully, she will perk up with some extra attention.

 

[Bananafish79]

She ate a good amount of Greek yogurt mixed with bananas ( her favorite). I made her a little cardboard enclosure and today was warmer. I really hope she gets better.