Sick and molting hen

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

I have a hen with something going on in her reproductive tract, she’s been on a course of antibiotics. Likely genetic reproductive issue leading to EYP. She’s also molting at the same time and it’s been a hard molt. She’s pretty high up in the pecking order so it’s hard to tell when she’s feeling worse than normal. Anyway, it’s gotten a bit chilly in Washington, from 70 deg nights to 45 pretty quickly. She’s always puffed up now and has been shaking when I hold her. I know chickens are generally tough but I’m worried about her being chilled while ill. Is this a concern or is she fine with the hard molt? Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

If she's ill she may need a little more TLC. Healthy, molting chickens are fine down to freezing, but a hard molt + antibiotics + a fast temperature drop might be harder on her.

Do you have anywhere inside (garage, shed) where you could set her up in a crate for night time?

 

[charlotte-and-the-bees]

If she's ill she may need a little more TLC. Healthy, molting chickens are fine down to freezing, but a hard molt + antibiotics + a fast temperature drop might be harder on her.

Do you have anywhere inside (garage, shed) where you could set her up in a crate for night time?

Definitely do! I have a crate set up that she can go in, but when I’ve brought her inside in the past she grumbles quite a bit. I don’t want to add extra stress on her. I might try bringing her inside tomorrow night though but keeping her out in the day. At least to give her a little warmth over night.

 

[chickiechickiebawkbawk]

This Speckled Sussex and her other molty girlfriend spent the last two nights in my warmer garage because it was mid 30s all night here in Vermont. I have dog crates and a shipping container converter to a coop in the garage for any sick, injured, broody or chilly birds.
I don't give them heat outside but I set up a warming hut with a 500watt spot light when it's wicked dark and cold. It went from 72 last week to 36 last night! Hello winter! I really feel for the animals with climate change. Grateful to be sitting by the wood stove looking at molting chickens online right now. Where's the hot chocolate?!
Have a good day. Hope all your chickens stay warm!

 

[rosemarythyme]

View attachment 2876494
This Speckled Sussex and her other molty girlfriend spent the last two nights in my warmer garage because it was mid 30s all night here in Vermont. I have dog crates and a shipping container converter to a coop in the garage for any sick, injured, broody or chilly birds.
I don't give them heat outside but I set up a warming hut with a 500watt spot light when it's wicked dark and cold. It went from 72 last week to 36 last night! Hello winter! I really feel for the animals with climate change. Grateful to be sitting by the wood stove looking at molting chickens online right now. Where's the hot chocolate?!
Have a good day. Hope all your chickens stay warm!

That's an impressive molt! You should enter her in the annual molt contest.

She should still be good in the 30s (since I have a bird that traditionally blows out her feathers in December) however I get that there's some concern when the temperature plummets that much. Once the feathers start emerging from the sheaths she should be fine with just the coop.