Scraggly feathers but seems to be done molting

[SamCO]

My flock of 21 birds have all mostly finished their molting this fall. This olive egger girl is about 2 years old, and this was her first big molt. Her feathers are still looking all curly and scraggly. She’s behaving ok, and no other birds are affected. I haven’t caught her to inspect for pests, and will have to do that at night since she’s impossible to catch the rest of the time. Can parasites affect only one bird? I’ve never treated for any external parasites in my flock, and regularly inspect my friendly ones, but I have a few that are skittish. They are on 21 percent layer, and get some table scrap, but the majority is feed. They free range part of the time on 2 acres and are in a fenced 50x50 area the rest of the time. Anyone have birds whose feathers went sort of curly after molt?

Thank you!

 

[chickachicka12345]

can you get closer pictures of just the one hen? how old?

 

[talkinboutchickens]

She definitely looks like an older girl. I would also say that 21% is a bit too much protein, a good amount is 16% to 18% for laying hens 21 percent protein should be okay for them right now since they are molting and need the extra protein- but when they finish their molt, they should be switched to 16% to 18%.

 

[SamCO]

I can’t get terribly close to her. But these might be better.

 

[SamCO]

She definitely looks like an older girl. I would also say that 21% is a bit too much protein, a good amount is 16% to 18% for laying hens 21 percent protein should be okay for them right now since they are molting and need the extra protein- but when they finish their molt, they should be switched to 16% to 18%.
View attachment 4005275

I just switched them to hi protein during their molt. They were on 18 before that. She just turned two years old this summer.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I just switched them to hi protein during their molt. They were on 18 before that. She just turned two years old this summer.

Perfect. Oh, only 2 years old? She looks a lot older. She doesn't seem to be done with her molt yet. Give her maybe 1-2 more weeks and she should grow in more feathers which will make her overall appearance better

 

[Wyorp Rock]

This olive egger girl is about 2 years old, and this was her first big molt. Her feathers are still looking all curly and scraggly. She’s behaving ok, and no other birds are affected. I haven’t caught her to inspect for pests, and will have to do that at night since she’s impossible to catch the rest of the time. Can parasites affect only one bird? I’ve never treated for any external parasites in my flock, and regularly inspect my friendly ones, but I have a few that are skittish. They are on 21 percent layer, and get some table scrap, but the majority is feed.

21% Protein feed is fine. I feed a 22% protein all flock year round.

She's not molting yet. Looks like feathers are worn from mating and a bit of picking.

I'd inspect her for lice/mites just to be sure they aren't part of the problem.

Once she does go into molt, then you should notice a pattern of new feathers coming in on the head/neck, then across the back, etc.
Some hens don't molt until quite late or in the dead of winter.

If she's eating/drinking, active, isn't being kept from food, then I'd just observe her for now after checking for parasites.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

She definitely looks like an older girl. I would also say that 21% is a bit too much protein, a good amount is 16% to 18% for laying hens 21 percent protein should be okay for them right now since they are molting and need the extra protein- but when they finish their molt, they should be switched to 16% to 18%.
View attachment 4005275

What is the source of this information, please? I also keep my chickens on a 20 - 22% all-flock diet and have a very healthy flock. I don't have health issues in my flock and haven't in 14 years. Off the top of my head I can't think of the last time I lost a chicken to illness.

 

[SamCO]

just wanted to update. This bird still looks terrible. She’s the only one out of 21. She’s eating a drinking ok. Comb and wattles are very pale. Can’t find mites or lice, but did treat with ivermectin pour on over a month ago to see if that could be the problem. Here’s an updated photo. Her feathers feel very brittle and almost sticky. Any ideas for how to treat her? Think it could be a nutrition issue? I don’t want her to suffer and would love to be able to nurse her back to health, but I’m starting to wonder if she should be culled?

Thoughts?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

just wanted to update. This bird still looks terrible. She’s the only one out of 21. She’s eating a drinking ok. Comb and wattles are very pale. Can’t find mites or lice, but did treat with ivermectin pour on over a month ago to see if that could be the problem. Here’s an updated photo. Her feathers feel very brittle and almost sticky. Any ideas for how to treat her? Think it could be a nutrition issue? I don’t want her to suffer and would love to be able to nurse her back to health, but I’m starting to wonder if she should be culled?

Thoughts?

She looks to still be in the same condition, no better/no worse.

So she didn't molt. Feathers will still look bad until she molts.

You can try deworming to see if she acts better, but you report she's eating/drinking and fairly active. She's pale, does she lay eggs? If she's not in lay, then this could be one reason why she's pale.