Molting? or permanent feather loss?

Boudicea Farms

Chirping
9 Years
Aug 14, 2010
42
9
84
I have a Barred Rock that we call bare butt chicken she has no feathers other than her head and wings, she has been featherless since last fall, and shows no signs of growing them back any time soon. She is still laying and considering the subzero weather this winter I am amazed she didn't freeze to death. I did keep a light on for them all winter, and notice all of the birds lost feathers, they are slowly getting them back. I thought maybe it was plucking by the other chickens but this is boss hen that has lost hers. I keep the coop and chickens deloused and feed premium chicken feed and laying mash. Anyone out their have and suggestions on how to get her to regrow her feathers, she was a beautiful bird when I got her and now well she's bare, its sad to see her bright red behind every morning.
 
Try increasing the percentage of fat and animal protein in the diet of all the birds- even those that have already moulted. This poor bird is having a hormonal issue and for whatever reason is not utilising the nutrients in the maintenance feed with any efficiency. Put out wild bird seed cakes and whole apples every few days- and eliminate one half of the dry food you put out- trade that for scratch grain and soaked dry cat kibble- kitten chow is best-. Her feathers will grow back only once she is isolated ( pput her in her own dog crate for a few weeks) and you've pulled most of the soybean meal based feed out of the maintenance diet-
 

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