Momma hen's feather losses

[SNJchickens]

My chicks are 3.5 weeks old. Momma hen has suddenly started shedding feathers all over the place! At first I thought the dominant hen was the cause, but then I watched my Pumpkin shake herself this morning and feathers came flying off!!

She looks fine and I see absolutely no sign of parasites, though I could have missed them. Pumpkin seems healthy and she's being a good momma to her 2 chicks.

Does anyone have a clue as to why she would start shedding feathers?

worried chicken mom

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Perhaps the stress of being broody caused her to go into a molt.

 

[SNJchickens]

SO, do you think I should adopt a "wait and see" as long as Pumpkin seems healthy other than the feathers all over?

Her chicks are adopted. When Pumpkin went broody she would NOT come out of it - 3.5 weeks - so I got a couple of 12 hour old chicks from the farm where I got all 4 of my hens. Pumpkin was fine with her brood and she's been a good mom considering she was always at the bottom of the pecking order.

She is the hen to the far left in my icon.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes, I would also change up the diet.
The chicks need at least 18% protein 1% calcium rather than the 4% in layer feed. The mother needs more protein to rebuild her body and build new feathers. Since she's not laying she doesn't need the higher calcium.
If the whole flock is together, I'd switch them all to a grower ration and supply crushed oyster shell free choice in a separate container for those that are still laying.
If they're separate, keep the other hens on layer feed and get the highest protein grower feed you can find for the mom and kids.

 

[SNJchickens]

Thank you! Apparently I am doing everything right.

The hens have layer feed (Purina Layena) in a feeder the chicks can't reach. Flock Raiser is in the lower feeder and in the brooding coop where Pumpkin can relax with the chicks. Free choice oyster shell (and crushed egg shell) is available as is chick grit and chicken grit.

All the birds have access to the large outdoor run (14 x 21) where they stay unless I'm out with them. Only then can they roam the yard while I do "hawk patrol." When out free range daily the menu is supplemented with greens, grubs, worms, bugs and anything else the flock can get their beaks onto!

The flock also gets oatmeal, niger seed, mealworms and sunflower kernels.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I haven't fed niger, do they like it? I guess they do.
Sunflower and mealworms are great sources of protein.

 

[SNJchickens]

The chicken go directly to the ground under the niger seed feeders when they first leave their run. On days when I can't be home to let them have time in the yard, I sprinkle some niger in the run for them to scratch and eat.

Their favorite treat by far is cheese, especially shredded mozzarella. I swear the hens would walk through fire for cheese. I use it to get them to be hand tame and to tolerate being picked up. I use it as a lure when I really REALLY need them to go back to the run before they are done with their rounds of the yard and gardens.

As a first time chicken chick, I'm learning by doing. I got my first pullets last April and the chicks came this April. I wonder what next April will hold?

 

[bernaboo111]

It could be a HUGE molt. They do that a lot after "hatching"

chicks. I think it's a stress thing. Don't worry about it. If she is acting normal then there is probably nothing wrong. You might just have a naked chicken for a while.