Molting a bit too long

[chickenlover0805]

Hi! So I have this frizzled silked hen and she went into a molt last winter and her feathers haven't grown back yet. Is there something wrong or anything I could do?

 

[Eggcessive]

That probably is not still a molt, but feather picking by the other chickens. I would probably separate her where they could still see each other, but where she will be left alone. Have you watched them picking her? What are you feeding, and how much protein does your feed have? I would give her 20% flock raiser at this time. Is she laying eggs? If so she would need some crushed oyster shell as well.

 

[chickenlover0805]

That probably is not still a molt, but feather picking by the other chickens. I would probably separate her where they could still see each other, but where she will be left alone. Have you watched them picking her? What are you feeding, and how much protein does your feed have? I would give her 20% flock raiser at this time. Is she laying eggs? If so she would need some crushed oyster shell as well.

I have never seen them picking at her. I'm currently not home so I can't check the protein. but I've added sunflower into her diet. I can try and move her to another coop.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi! So I have this frizzled silked hen and she went into a molt last winter and her feathers haven't grown back yet. Is there something wrong or anything I could do?

Pecking was also my first thought.. but looking at the pics.. I would probably question rooster ratio and mating damage as another possibility.

Sunflower seeds are high in fat but not so high in protein.. I also recommend 20% protein.

Moving to another coop may or may not be helpful.. as a new comer she could be subject to brutal pecking order issues and no bird she be alone. Using a dog kennel or other form of "look but don't touch" inside her current coop *may* be a good option.

What I can see.. her skin doesn't look angry or otherwise indicating parasite issues.. genetics *may* be causing excessive feather breakage.

Has she been layiing any eggs throughout this time? What is her age?

Just brainstoring possible causes. Hope you find answers and she starts to recover quickly!

 

[Delphene]

Hi! So I have this frizzled silked hen and she went into a molt last winter and her feathers haven't grown back yet. Is there something wrong or anything I could do?View attachment 3967172View attachment 3967171

Hi! To help your girl grow back your feathers I recommend giving her lots of protein, Such as mealworms and scrabbled eggs. You might also have to move her away from the flock for awhile for her to grow back her feathers as she might be getting plucked at.

 

[Eggcessive]

The wire dog crate (with food and water) for separation is good, where she can still be with them, but can’t be pecked or mated. Make sure that her feed is 90% of her diet. Some egg, or other high protein food for a treat is fine, but she needs a balanced diet with vitamins and minerals.

 

[chickenlover0805]

Has she been layiing any eggs throughout this time? What is her age?

I got her at a swap meet in Amherst last year and I believe she is 2 years old currently. I don't know for sure if she lays eggs but we always find eggs in bantam coop. All my other Bantam hens are like 7 years old so I'm not sure if they still lay. I do know she did lay eggs once she started losing all her feathers because she had three chicks last winter that passed away.

 

[Eggcessive]

You should be able to tell if she is laying when she is separated.

 

[chickenlover0805]

You should be able to tell if she is laying when she is separated.

I don't know if I'll be able to separate her

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you borrow a wire dog crate? I would be worried that she will be killed eventually but the roosters or from the feather picking.