Molting at -10 degrees F

[Ccort]

I have a hen molting and we have a major cold front coming tomorrow. Temps expected at -10 at night with highs in the single digits during the day for a few days.

I have no garage, no basement, no heat lamp. She is missing a lot of feathers throughout her belly and chest. Attaching a (not great) pic of that area. Also missing all around her legs with some regrowth happening around her neck and neck.

Current temps are about 35F. Should I bring her in?

 

[Mrs. K]

No, she will be fine. It just seems crazy to loose all their feathers in the winter, but they do and live go tell the tale!

As long as she is active and eating I have learned to stop worrying about it. If you have adequate roosting space, places where they have adequate wind protection AND GOOD VENTILATION she will look like a girl with a brand new dress soon.

Mrs K

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have one molting too with similar temperatures expected. As long as you have other chickens she will sit close to them if necessary. Just watch, and if you see any signs she's not doing well you may want to bring her in for a short while.

 

[Ccort]

I have one molting too with similar temperatures expected. As long as you have other chickens she will sit close to them if necessary. Just watch, and if you see any signs she's not doing well you may want to bring her in for a short while.

She only has one she sits with.

 

[Ccort]

No, she will be fine. It just seems crazy to loose all their feathers in the winter, but they do and live go tell the tale!

As long as she is active and eating I have learned to stop worrying about it. If you have adequate roosting space, places where they have adequate wind protection AND GOOD VENTILATION she will look like a girl with a brand new dress soon.

Mrs K

I put plastic around the coop windows today but staples it loosely around the edges. I think that's fine for ventilation? Also supposed to get snow so wanting to keep that out