Molting Hen Help

[sixlittlechicks09]

Hello there everyone! I hope you're all having a great winter season!

Well here's my problem,
I've got three very bald RIR Hens and I don't know what to do! It's been getting very cold around here lately, down to below 0 at night. During the day they seem fine, but I worry about them at night. They've got almost no feathers on their backs and under their wings! Their necks are starting to look a little naked too. Is there something I can do for them in the time it takes for their feathers to grow back? I've heard everything from feeding them different kinds of foods to making them little sweaters. Then some people say they don't need anything at all. But it gets so cold here, the temps are going to be around zero during the day over then next few weeks, I just hate seeing them so bald. So what's the general BYC consensus? Thanks everybody!

 

[chicks4kids]

I would at least put saddles on them to help out with holding their body heat in....here's a link to a basic DIY pattern for a saddle....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=424354&p=1

 

[Kanga77510]

Feeding them extra protein will help the molt move along quicker too. If you have some chick starter, they could have some of that. Any sort of meat leftovers in the fridge will be good too. My girls are cleaning out my fridge quite nicely now that they're molting.

 

[sixlittlechicks09]

Thanks! I've been making them warm mash with a little milk and old apples and canned veggies that they really seem to enjoy.
And that saddle idea is magnificent! Maybe a few of those made out of fleece would be good for my girls...
I'm open to any other suggestions too!

 

[HorizonSon]

Fresh raw milk, fresh raw meat, bugs, bugs and more bugs

 

[Morgan7782]

Quote:
x2. I have a molting brahma and although it's nowhere near your temps here lol I still like to boost her protien a bit. She is so picky, but she LOVES meat. Any kind of meat, total carnivor veloceraptor this one lol! If they like BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) I hear that helps promote feather regrowth ect.

canned tuna is another good treat, my girls love it.

 

[sourland]

Extra protein, BOSS, and protection from drafts. You will be amazed at how rapidly they refeather.