Lost feathers not growing back

[DWilkins]

I have a silkie hen who it looks like she molted and feathers never grew back. She has none on her underside all the way up to her vent .Also she has lost them on her neck.At one time she had a full”poof” on her head and that too has thinned. She has no mites or bugs. Her skin seems dry on her head but not on her underside. She eats, drinks and does everything she is supposed to do. I worry about her keeping warm as Iowa winters are brutal. There coop is kept warm in the winter with the ability to go out in a screened run that we put plastic on to help the coop stay warm and let them get out if they like.Could she have allergies to something ? The lack of feathers had been like this for the past 5 months when the temps started warming up. Do I put a sweater or some thing on her for the winter?

 

[sourland]

It almost looks as if a flock mate is feather picking/plucking her.

 

[DWilkins]

That’s what we thought,but under closer inspection she has also lost some on her wings and back.Granted she may be doing her fall molt but the feathers on her underside have been gone all summer. I have ordered a sweater for her as it will be getting cold here soon . I have also found an avian vet 2 hours away (thank goodness as there are none in our area)that I am going to get her opinion on this as well.

 

[1cock2hens]

When a chicken looses feathers due to pecking or whatever else they don't fully grow back till after they go through there next molt

 

[DWilkins]

No other chickens have been pecking on her. I have emailed pictures to my avian vet to get her take on it. Her skin is dry too.

 

[DWilkins]

When a chicken looses feathers due to pecking or whatever else they don't fully grow back till after they go through there next molt

 

[DWilkins]

Also. She has not feathers on her underside for months. Thought maybe the upper roost was too high and she was rubbing them off but that’s not the case. Ugh. Hope the vet can give me some answers

 

[1cock2hens]

Ok, I was just saying don't expect feather growth between molts. If a chicken is missing feathers they grow in at molt when all the feathers are regenerating.

 

[DWilkins]

Thank you for the advice!