Saddle feathers gone!!!

[nancyjeanc]

I bought a RIR laying hen 3 weeks ago, the lady I bought her from said she was fertile because she was with a rooster. Saddle feathers missing. Well no eggs as of today and I have a bigger problem. While I was looking her over today I noticed her saddle feathers are gone and don't see any new ones coming in. It looks as if she had been shaved.
The lady said she was about a year old. Any info will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Judy]

The trouble is, you can't tell how old they are once they are full size. The missing feathers could be from being overmated or from others picking her feathers. (A pic would help.) As for not laying, she may be so old she only lays a few a month or less, if at all. If the seller was honest about her age, it may be due to the stress of being rehomed. It can take them a while to recover, expecially when they have roblems like feather loss. Is she your only chicken? It is also stressful for them not to be in a flock.

 

[nancyjeanc]

thank you Judy I'm not so sure about putting pictures on here I'm trying to figure it out. We have 3 pullets and her in one coop and 10 chicks in our brooder room.
She's very happy eats out of you hand comes when you call her

 

[nancyjeanc]

Oops hit reply to soon... Thanks so much for all your help.

 

[nancyjeanc]

Judy we got a closer look at her today and she's molting. I didn't know they would loose so many feathers in one spot. Thanks again for your advise.