Scratty feathered chicken

[AlexEve]

Last March my RIR started moulting a few feathers, with lots falling off and the tips of other feathers breaking off too. I assumed this was a molt because it started in the spring, but she still hasn’t grown new feathers. The only exposed skin now is a bit on her neck, and lots of fluffy underlying feathers are exposed as well. I don’t think molts last 4 whole months with no sign of new feathers, so is she sick or something?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Can you tell us what you feed and how much of each thing please?

Pics of the bird may help too.

 

[3KillerBs]

Molts usually occur in the fall rather than the spring. Have you checked her for mites and/or lice?

Is it possible that the other birds are picking at her feathers?

 

[AlexEve]

Can you tell us what you feed and how much of each thing please?

Pics of the bird may help too.

All my birds eat 16% layer feed, but we occasionally throw in table scraps as well.

 

[AlexEve]

Molts usually occur in the fall rather than the spring. Have you checked her for mites and/or lice?

Is it possible that the other birds are picking at her feathers?

I don’t think it’s plucking. She is at the bottom of the pecking order, but I’ve never seen any birds deliberately pluck her feathers. I’m not sure about lice/mites though. How would I check for that?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Her feathers look weak. Her head feathers do look like plucking damage though.

Being a production breed perhaps putting them on a higher protein feed will help.
What I would try is feeding a 20% protein feed like flock raiser and have oyster shell in a dish near the feed for calcium since flock raiser is low in calcium.
I would keep them on a higher protein feed and not go back to a lower.

It takes a lot of nutrition to both make eggs and keep up those feathers.

 

[3KillerBs]

I don’t think it’s plucking. She is at the bottom of the pecking order, but I’ve never seen any birds deliberately pluck her feathers. I’m not sure about lice/mites though. How would I check for that?

Here's a helpful article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-fleas-dealing-with-external-parasites.74599/

 

[AlexEve]

Her feathers look weak. Her head feathers do look like plucking damage though.

Being a production breed perhaps putting them on a higher protein feed will help.
What I would try is feeding a 20% protein feed like flock raiser and have oyster shell in a dish near the feed for calcium since flock raiser is low in calcium.
I would keep them on a higher protein feed and not go back to a lower.

It takes a lot of nutrition to both make eggs and keep up those feathers.

Ah I just bought two more bags of 16%! I haven’t opened them yet so I’ll probably just exchange them for 20% bags. Thanks for the help!
And yea the head is where she’s pecked the most, never seen plucking though

 

[AlexEve]

Here's a helpful article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-fleas-dealing-with-external-parasites.74599/

I’ll check her out. Thanks!