Naked hen backs

[BESnyder]

We had a rooster, but gave him away as he was too aggressive. I believe that this is what caused the chickens to lose their feathers, however, the rooster has been gone two months and the hens are sill bare. I was thinking maybe the other hens were plucking them out... The feathers are no longer attempting to grow back and one hen has scabs on her back. The chickens are just about 14 months old but have been bare for 5-6 months. Any thoughts?

 

[asinnamon]

We have this too. I've read that they won't grow the feathers back until they molt in the fall. So, we have a bunch of half naked ladies...

 

[MrsBrooke]

I'd give them a chance to molt. Our ladies are a little bare, too, right now... Such a sad sight! Our one rooster has 12 hens to himself, but he's got his favorites!

MrsB

 

[Tatiana110]

I'd give them a chance to molt. Our ladies are a little bare, too, right now... Such a sad sight! Our one rooster has 12 hens to himself, but he's got his favorites!

MrsB

Same here. our of 12 pullets, our young rooster favors one. She is almost naked on the back and sides, and no sign of new feathers growing. She's been like this for almost 2 months now, it is getting worse.

I am afraid that since she is only 6 months old now, she may not molt this fall and stays naked over winter... She hatched on Dec 26, 2014. Will she molt this fall??? Or should I think about getting her a saddle for winter months?

The others have perfect feathers, no overmating for them! But Matilda (she is the largest Barred Rock pullet, and she is a bit slow, LOL) gets the roo attention several times a day - this is when I see it. Possibly more, when I do not see it

 

[asinnamon]

You could try a saddle. We used them and they did help prevent more damage, but ofcourse had no impact on regrowing feathers. Some wore the saddles, some wouldn't, and it was winter here in NH at the time. We still have one that has hers on, it protects her from the sun. Some grew their feathers back after the roos left and some are still bare. We also give cat food as a treat once in a while for some extra protein. It's hard to grow feathers, keep weight on and lay eggs at the same time...

 

[MrsBrooke]

Boiled egg, meal worms, and cooked (drained) hamburger meat are favorite treats for my ladies during the naked winter months!

MrsB