Predator attack - safe but pretty bald and COLD!

[chickarita]

Our White Leghorn was attacked by something yesterday and we found her under the deck, completely bald in the back except for a few long, dirty tail feathers. We washed her up and blew dry her feathers and separated her for the night. She seems to be okay, actually - eating, drinking, etc. The question I have is can I introduce her back outside? We have five other hens and it's cold - mid-30s. Can her bare butt (really bare vent!) be outside like that and she'll be fine? I joked about knitting her a butt cover...but I don't knit.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

awww poor thing.... Can u keep her in isolation until she gets better?

 

[Smoochie]

I would isolate her in a crate with a heat lamp until she had more feathers. She is also vulnerable at being pecked at. The best thing to grow feathers is extra protein.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

how is she today?

 

[chickarita]

She seemed to be amiss without her sisters so we put her back outside. She's doing fine actually, in all ways, except she hasn't resumed laying. How long can a hen go without laying? We got one every other day before.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Glad to hear she is getting better!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

She seemed to be amiss without her sisters so we put her back outside. She's doing fine actually, in all ways, except she hasn't resumed laying. How long can a hen go without laying? We got one every other day before.

she probably will in a few days, glad to hear!