Not re-growing feathers and it's cold!

[Jenjens]

My roosters favorite this year is bald in a LOT of areas. I have an apron on her, to give her some sort of relief, but it is getting cold here in Illinois. She is still laying and her balding spots are showing no signs of new feather growth. I plan on bringing her in the garage during the really cold nights, but, is she ever going to grow back feathers? She didn't go through molt because, well, she doesn't have much to molt off.

Everyone else finished their molts 2 months ago, and are laying again.

I don't want to stress her body into it, but am wondering if anyone knows if there is anything else I can do to help her along. I worry very much about her.

Thanks

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If you have photos you wish to share that would be good.
If the feathers are broken off and the feather shaft is still intact in her skin, then those will not be replaced until she molts.
Molting has nothing to do with the amount of feathers a bird has, daylight hours and age generally dictate when a bird goes into molt, but genetics could also play a role.

Depending on how your coop is set up and how bald she actually is, she may be better off with the flock. Chickens cuddle against one another during roosting and stay warm. I've had bald molting hens in the middle of January. I made sure to provide extra straw in the corner where they liked to snuggle down on cold windy days, they came through it all just fine.

 

[3KillerBs]

Depending on how your coop is set up and how bald she actually is, she may be better off with the flock. Chickens cuddle against one another during roosting and stay warm. I've had bald molting hens in the middle of January. I made sure to provide extra straw in the corner where they liked to snuggle down on cold windy days, they came through it all just fine.

My molting hens have been trying to sleep in the nests -- small and cozy.

The other day I tucked Chipotle, who is half naked, in between two of her large, fluffy friends and last night I found her in that spot on her own.

She's rather bright for a chicken* and understood once I'd shown her.

*She can fly back into a fence she flew out of. All the others get out then pace the edge of the netting crying that they're away from the flock. She goes out, eats her fill of green stuff, then goes back in.

 

[aart]

If you have photos you wish to share that would be good.

Yes, please.
Also age(in months) and breed.

Have had barebacked birds make it thru winter here a few times.
I'd not worry too much.
The apron may actually inhibit her ability to keep warmer by holding the feathers down.

 

[Jenjens]

Thanks everyone. I will try to get a picture this evening. I don't know her exact age; she was adopted. The farmer who gave her to me said she was either 1 or 3 when I got her last October.
Also, they DO NOT cuddle with each other at night. They all prefer to be as far away as possible from each other.

Should I take off her apron? I was thinking about that, but am also worried about frostbite.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Thanks everyone. I will try to get a picture this evening. I don't know her exact age; she was adopted. The farmer who gave her to me said she was either 1 or 3 when I got her last October.
Also, they DO NOT cuddle with each other at night. They all prefer to be as far away as possible from each other.

Should I take off her apron? I was thinking about that, but am also worried about frostbite.

If you're meaning a chicken saddle, something that is on her back, as long as her back is bald, you should keep it on, no matter the weather. It's to protect her back from the rooster.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Personally, I would not take the saddle off. It's protecting the bare skin during mating and I've used them before on several birds, their feathers grew in just fine during molt while wearing their saddles. It might depend on the material the saddle is made of though(?) anyway, mine didn't have any issues, but I checked frequently. .