Hen troubles not sure if she’s sick

[jennaveewhit]

This poor hen had lost her feathers in late December and hasn’t started to lay since. She eats and acts normal but looks worse lately. Since these pictures her comb is very light almost like it was bleached and ears are almost white. I cannot figure this out and feel like a failure. The other hens have slowed considerably this past month And give only 2 or 3 a day. I have 6 total and they are one year old now. any help or suggestions would be really appreciate.

 

[Mrs. K]

Where are you from? If you are headed into winter, this makes sense. The comb and wattle become less vivid, the old feathers begin to look like rags, and eventually they stop or nearly stop laying eggs and molt. Then new feathers come in, in the spring the wattles and combs get plump and bright red, and eventually they begin to lay eggs again.

If you are not in the Southern Hemisphere, I would check for parasites. Mites or lice. Google what you are looking for, and a flashlight often helps.

Mrs K

 

[jennaveewhit]

Where are you from? If you are headed into winter, this makes sense. The comb and wattle become less vivid, the old feathers begin to look like rags, and eventually they stop or nearly stop laying eggs and molt. Then new feathers come in, in the spring the wattles and combs get plump and bright red, and eventually they begin to lay eggs again.

If you are not in the Southern Hemisphere, I would check for parasites. Mites or lice. Google what you are looking for, and a flashlight often helps.

Mrs K

I’m in southeastern Tennessee and it’s late spring. She lost her feathers in late December and these new ones are looking ragged already. I looked for parasites and haven’t found any but I will look again. I’ll look up mites and lice online. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Mrs. K]

There is a depluming mites, that make for ragged feathers.