Molting in Freezing Temps

[RoosterFredsmom]

I have one girl who waited to start her molt until we were due for subzero temperatures and another with a bald spot from over mating. I cannot keep a saddle on her. I am concerned about the exposed skin. Is there something I should do? Or will they manage?

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Where are you? What kind of setup do you have for coop and pen? What breed are your chickens, especially the half-naked ones?

 

[BDutch]

I have one chicken that started to molt too late too. Now we have a few cold days and nights.
I think she makes sure she will be in the middle of the roost with chickens on both sides, to keep warm in the night.

 

[RoosterFredsmom]

Where are you? What kind of setup do you have for coop and pen? What breed are your chickens, especially the half-naked ones?

Hi, I am in Kansas. Our set up is a pretty good one. It is a stick built shed that was converted into a coop. It is probably not as fancy as some but it is good. the photo attached is not the coop, but is built similarly. Both birds did fine last year, but hey were not quite a year old then. The one molting is a Barred Rock and the other is a Copper Maran cross. Both hardy birds. I have been keeping an eye on them and they seem to be doing okay, but I worry about the exposed skin. Especially on the one that has the bald spot. I am attaching pictures of them for you. The one looking in my back door is the one with the bald spot on her back.