sick or a severe molt

[otonoh]

Good evening,

My 18 month golden comet is undergoing a full molt, she has lost most of her longer feathers but still has the under feathers. They appear to be growing out. The thing I am concerned about is that today when I put them to bed. She was sitting alone in a nesting box while the other ladies were on their perch. It rained today so I hopefully it is warmer there than on the perch and she is cold. About a week ago I found her outside in the run while the other ladies went in the coop at night. She appears active and is eating. I haven't seen her lay any eggs but I haven't had the light on yet this fall so the egg production is dropping. Her breathing appears to be normal and her comb color is normal.
The other birds are the same age and haven't had such a severe molt. I turned on their heater so the coop is nice and toasty, I live in Wisconsin where it is now freezing at night. Any thoughts?

thanks

David

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Yes sounds like she is a little down in the dumps.

I'd watch her and give her some scrambled egg or boost her protein a little with some unmedicated chick starter or flockraiser (both 20% protein) to help her with making new feathers. Those don't have adequate calcium for your layers, so you would need to provide oyster shell if you made a temporary switch to those feeds.

Hopefully she'll perk up and not go off by herself any longer.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/576590/special-feed-for-molting-chickens
here's one thread

 

[otonoh]

thank you, I will make sure she gets extra protein.

 

[otonoh]

good news, she was the first to leave the coop this morning, Saw here eat some fresh corn and some seeds. This afternoon whe was running around with the other ladies and it appears her tail feathers are finally growing back.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Very nice!