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Need help with moulting hen!

Discussion in 'Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures' started by desideesy, Nov 2, 2011.

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  1. Nov 2, 2011 #1
    desideesy

    desideesy New Egg

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    Nov 2, 2011
    I'm new to backyard hens, and I'm dealing with my first moult. Vera is a Brahma, about 18 months old. She's pretty bald, but pin feathers are coming in everywhere. This morning, she is stumbling around like she's drunk. She is willing to eat and drink. She's at the bottom of the pecking order. It's hard to tell if she's actually thin; she sure looks scrawny without the feathers. Is she in serious danger? Should I take her to a vet? Does she just need some nutritious food? I shooed away the other hens to let Vera eat her layer crumble this morning, and I plan to give her some scrambled egg and spinach. Any suggestions? Will she be OK?
     
  3. Nov 2, 2011 #2
    chicmom

    chicmom Dances with Chickens

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    Molting doesn't usually make them sick....Could she have gotten too cold? (I am grasping at straws here...)

    I'm sure somebody will come along and help,

    Sharon
     
  5. Nov 2, 2011 #3
    tiki244

    tiki244 Flock Mistress

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    You should separate her from the rest of the flock and give her lots of protein in her diet. It could be the molt or it could be something else. Possibly mareks?
     

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