Molting chicken?

[TLobin]

Hello,

I have a two year old Wyandotte who began losing feathers last October. It slowed down a little but beginning this spring she has rapidly lost more. I'm worried she won't make it through the winter here in MN. Is this somewhat normal? Will she ever regrow new feathers? Her behavior hasn't changed other than she no longer likes to jump up on my lap or shoulder. I swear she thought she was a parrot before the loss of feathers started.

 

[nuthatched]

Give her higher protein feed, it will help her with her feathers.

 

[Alaskan]

20% protein is a great choice, both for regrowing feathers and when it is super cold

 

[rosemarythyme]

Just making sure I'm reading this correctly - she molted last October, then molted again this spring and hasn't regrown her feathers since?

Any photos? Are you sure this isn't feather picking or any sort of skin condition/parasite issue?

 

[TLobin]

This is normal.

She'll be fine for the winter. And yes, she will regrow the feathers if she's getting enough calcium and other nutrients.

Thank you. I had upped the protein and feed baked crushed egg shells but stopped in the spring. I'll go back to that.

 

[Alaskan]

Just making sure I'm reading this correctly - she molted last October, then molted again this spring and hasn't regrown her feathers since?

Any photos? Are you sure this isn't feather picking or any sort of skin condition/parasite issue?

Good point.

 

[aart]

Just making sure I'm reading this correctly - she molted last October, then molted again this spring and hasn't regrown her feathers since?

That's how I read it too.
Hopefully @TLobin can confirm or correct.

What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Also.....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Cindy in PA]

I had two blue wyandottes that didn't molt when the others did last Dec & Jan. They both looked ragged, but never grew new feathers. They turned 2 in April. One kept going broody & after her last time about 2 months ago, she finally molted. The other I found dead on the floor one morning about 2 months ago. She never did molt, but acted normal until the day I found her.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I have a hen that didn't molt when everyone else did last time and it always puzzled me. I call her baldy. Suddenly she is in full molt, now, in the middle of the hot summer! You just never know with chickens. . . . .

 

[TLobin]

Give her higher protein feed, it will help her with her feathers.

Thank you. I'll do that!