Losing Feathers

[RhodeIsland Red]

My hens were losing feathers and after a few months began to grow some of there feathers back. Lately they have been losing there feathers again not only from their backside but also from there necks and chest. I am not sure what to do this time. They are still laying eggs and seem to be in good health with the exception of losing their feathers. The hens are starting to llook a little ragged out without feathers. I've treated for mites. I feed and change there water daily. I clean there coops daily. I even changed there feed and have fed them nore protein for feather production. Not a thing seems to work. Help! Any ideas.

 

[teach1rusl]

Unless you're leaving something out (such as an overly eager rooster), then it just sounds like molting to me. I have several molting right now who look ragged. Some birds blow almost all of their feathers out within 2 weeks or so and regrow feathers, while others drag a molt out (one or two body sections at a time) over a much longer time period. As long as you see pin feathers coming in to replace areas that have lost feathers, they're good.

 

[RhodeIsland Red]

Thanks for your responds. We were not sure if it was molting, but after you mentioned that some birds may take longer during and after, going through the molting process, it reassured my wife and I that this may be the case with our birds. All four birds seem to be growing pin feathers, so God willing this is the case. Thanks again for sharing your experience and knowledge. In the future, we will let you know the outcome. Have a great day.