Is my girl molting to death?

[P-Funk]

My Barred Plymouth Rock, age 2, is the oldest of the flock of 6. She first started molting last year when it was just on the top of her butt in front of her tail. We sprayed her with 'poultry protector' and 'blu kote' regularly and it got better. Now it's on her entire behind and neck. We named her Blimpy because she was so fat when we adopted her but she is now one of the smallest in the coop. The last time I took a bird to the vet she was dead in 2 hours. Needless to say I'm not taking another one. Thanking you for your help in advance, Preston

 

[NovaAman]

Treat her for mites and lice. Up her protein levels as well.

 

[P-Funk]

Thank you Nova

I soaked her with a lice and mite spray but how do you recommend getting her the extra protien? The girls all have a very healthy diet as it is. Better than me in fact. P.S. She's still at the top of the pecking order and nobody messes with her.

 

[casportpony]

Thank you Nova

I soaked her with a lice and mite spray but how do you recommend getting her the extra protien? The girls all have a very healthy diet as it is. Better than me in fact. P.S. She's still at the top of the pecking order and nobody messes with her.

If she's that thin, I'd probably tube feed. Have you wormed her?

 

[P-Funk]

She has not been wormed Cas, but something has been bothering me. If she HAD worms, or lice, or mites, wouldn't all the girls in the coop have it???

 

[Suzie]

They may all have worms/lice/mites but do not always show the same symptoms - if she is moulting she is more susceptible to be debilitated, as will young chicks.

You can give her some scrambled egg or tuna fish to help her.

Suzie

 

[casportpony]

She has not been wormed Cas, but something has been bothering me. If she HAD worms, or lice, or mites, wouldn't all the girls in the coop have it???

Whenever mine get sick, I dust for mites/lice, even if I can't see them and I worm with fenbendazole (Safeguard for Goats/Cattle).

 

[ghillie]

P,
Her sister looked just like that. Poultry protector is not effective on all mites. Northern Fowl mites do not live on the bird, although you may find a couple of them on the bird during daylight. They will live around where the birds roost. They mostly come out at night, fill up on blood, and retire back to the wood or such to lay their eggs. I will also find them concentrated in the nest boxes. It is not as critical to treat the bird as it is to treat the living areas of the mites. Kleen Green from Natural Genesis works better than Poultry Protector for killing mites. I'll call you when I can.....joe

 

[Holleran Farms]

I would dust her with a poultry dust containing permectrin. If it's not that do you have a rooster that treats her as his favorite. Some hens are favored by roosters and all the breeding and riding by them will get back of their neck feathers and saddle feathers pulled out from contant riding.

 

[P-Funk]

Thanks, all

I'll put the birds out to free range today while cleaning the pen. Every 6 months I normally pressure wash their entire stall, put some bleach in it, then wash it with water again. I'll look for some Kleen Green at Big R as well. It's supposed to be nice and warm (above freezing) today.