My poor new hen

[navasima]

I brought home a sad looking hen today. About 1 1/2 yrs. old - every color you can think of on...what's left...of her feathers. Somebody had too many roos....
She has bald patches on her neck, back, about 1/2 - 1 inch of tail feathers left and almost bald wings. I first saw her about a week ago - just removed from that situation and she actually looks 100x better now, but..oh! I seriously considered naming her Fugly! My DH was thrilled when I called to say a new chicken was on it's way home. He shook his head and said he was glad I brought her when he saw her.

So.....what time frame am I looking at (ballpark) for new feathers? Other than fresh air, sunshine, good diet, no roos kicking her butt......anything in particular to offer?
She's good weight (judging by feel), just half bald. When she spreads her wings, she looks like she just came out of the freezer! I swear though - I am focused on "the chicken that will be" and I do believe that she will look beautiful! She does seem to have a very sweet and calm personality already - for me - the most important part. No idea what breed(s). She may or may not even have a crest - can't tell from her kinda bald head..... She is definitely Bantam sized and even kinda little for a Banty. Oh - and she's been laying, almost daily, 1/2 lg size eggs - bless her heart.....

Suggestions for bald chicken rehab. - most welcome!! Thanks!

 

[Uniontown Poultry]

If she's laying then it's doubtful that her feather loss is molt related. Bless you for taking her in!!
You're in the right place with the sunshine, fresh air, no roos, good diet, and the only thing I would add is some supplemental protein. Feathers are made of protein and when my chickens are molting or needing to grow feathers back, I usually supplement with yummy cottage cheese, mealworms, cooked eggs or high-quality dry cat food (they don't like that as much as th other stuff). You might want to give her a little melon or some grapes just as a "getting to know you" treat.

Take a photo of her now so that when she's all feathered out & beautiful, you can remember how she came to you (or show others who don't believe you).

Her feathers should be grown in in a few weeks to a month.

 

[navasima]

Uniontown - Thanks for the tips! Extra protein for the new kid!

I didn't want to get closer because , to me, reducing her stress is much more important than a good pic right now...

You can see though her total lack of tail.

She didn't get quarantined because the other girls in the pen came from the same place she did - not where she got picked on, but the feed store they ended up in.

I'll get better pics in the next couple days, but not post any 'till I have the after to go with them!

 

[peepblessed]

You got great advice from Uniontown. Looking forward to seeing the change in her!

 

[fam5r]

aww poor baby Your such a nice person to take her in!!

 

[navasima]

Thanks y'all.

Now I have an integration/behavior question:

I popped this girl into the pen with my current 4. She's the oldest, by much, but not the largest. There was literally a second or two of chest bumping with my biggest girl and with my pipsqueak roo-to-be. During the first couple hours I saw the occasional, almost token peck at a passerby, but on the whole there seems to be more avoidance than negative interaction. The first 4 continued to snack, dust bathe, nap...all in their usual places.... The new kid (I really have to name her!) ate like crazy - went to town on a corncob and some yogurt I put out for her - Should I believe that they'll settle more from here - that there will be more potential for fighting once the new kid feels better enough to want to "flex" - or that I can assume nothing and just watch for a few days?

Note: The first four were 1 then two added last Monday - 1 added Wed. and no fussing. The first three ignored the 3rd girl at first, but she was snuggled up with them on the roost by night three and by day 4 all together they were hanging out on a milkcrate together like lifelong friends.

1 silkie cockeral (I think) 10 wks
2 mixed girls (Polish roo dad - mom?) approx 10-12 weeks
1 mixed girl(same Polish dad) old enough to cluck, but not laying yet 12-18 wks?

new kid - approx. 1 1/2 yrs old, smaller than clucking girl

Yep - it's a motley crew - yep I broke a few thousand rules putting this mix together - yep they're doing great! The 4 all came to eat yogurt from a cup I held earlier and cleaned each other's faces after

Thanks in advance for any advice or insight!