Silkie chicken 2/3rds feathered

[Ashley & Donna Dame]

I'm hoping someone can give me insight. I have a silkie that believe it or not prefers greens over protein. I've had a heck of a time with her molting process. She's about 3 years old and each molt gets worse. I finally got some nekton biotin and have been getting as much as I can in her through her water. He belly is still pretty bare but her back is coming along nicely. I'd say she's about 2/3rds feathered. My concern is we live in maine. I've been bringing her in on cooler nights but I'm hoping to get her out in the coop with her flock instead of inside all winter. It's in the 40s at night mostly sometimes dipping a bit lower. Can anyone tell me if it's safe to put her out at those temps? Pictures attached. I know she has frazzle feathers. She was part of a dozen eggs i bought and hatched. The others feathers were normal.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm hoping someone can give me insight. I have a silkie that believe it or not prefers greens over protein. I've had a heck of a time with her molting process. She's about 3 years old and each molt gets worse.

So quit offering the greens (which are a treat) and offer a balanced high protein (20-22%) chicken feed. What is your current full time feed routine including treats and supplements?

Since switching to higher protein (20% flock raiser or starter) feed than "layer" (usually 16%) full time and offering oyster shell free choice on the side.. my birds have less harsh molts than before. That is to say that they also go into molt already stronger as opposed to waiting to add suplementation.

My concern is we live in maine. I've been bringing her in on cooler nights but I'm hoping to get her out in the coop with her flock instead of inside all winter. It's in the 40s at night mostly sometimes dipping a bit lower.

Is she able to roost next to and with flock mates?

All though I would probably be a bit uncomfortable myself with that feathering amount and those temps.. I would consider leaving her out there and then sneaking out around the low temp and checking to see if she was shivering or showing other signs of discomfort or appeared to be acting otherwise normal and comfortable.

Even molting.. she is kind of cute!

 

[Ashley & Donna Dame]

Our chickens have feed with a good amount of protein. We have their feeders out all day. In the mornings I give them a mix of rolled oats, some protein source like boiled eggs or something else and some veggies. Then in the afternoon I give them a treat of maybe scratch, bread, sometimes a protein source, etc. Depends on what I have available. They eat plenty of their feed. It's this particular one that's a picky eater. I think tonight I'll keep her in. I believe tomorrow is supposed to be a bit warmer.

 

[Ashley & Donna Dame]

So quit offering the greens (which are a treat) and offer a balanced high protein (20-22%) chicken feed. What is your current full time feed routine including treats and supplements?

Since switching to higher protein (20% flock raiser or starter) feed than "layer" (usually 16%) full time and offering oyster shell free choice on the side.. my birds have less harsh molts than before. That is to say that they also go into molt already stronger as opposed to waiting to add suplementation.


Is she able to roost next to and with flock mates?

All though I would probably be a bit uncomfortable myself with that feathering amount and those temps.. I would consider leaving her out there and then sneaking out around the low temp and checking to see if she was shivering or showing other signs of discomfort or appeared to be acting otherwise normal and comfortable.

Even molting.. she is kind of cute!

Yes, their roosts aren't high in that coop because they are all silkies. I'm going to keep her in for tonight. It'll be warmer tomorrow and each day I see a bit more feathering. So perhaps by the time true cold weather sets back in she'll be completely feathered in. She does have Fluffy friends that can keep her cuddled though.

 

[aart]

How old is this bird, in week or months?

I wonder if it's got some frizzle genes in there?

 

[Ashley & Donna Dame]

How old is this bird, in week or months?

I wonder if it's got some frizzle genes in there?

She's about 3 yrs old and yes, i think she has frazzle feathers.

 

[Ashley & Donna Dame]

Our chickens have feed with a good amount of protein. We have their feeders out all day. In the mornings I give them a mix of rolled oats, some protein source like boiled eggs or something else and some veggies. Then in the afternoon I give them a treat of maybe scratch, bread, sometimes a protein source, etc. Depends on what I have available. They eat plenty of their feed. It's this particular one that's a picky eater. I think tonight I'll keep her in. I believe tomorrow is supposed to be a bit warmer.

So just a quick update. Last night My miss Gabby wanted to stay out. So I popped her between two filler silkies and she was still there this morning. It was 38 degrees for a low and she did well. I'm hoping the cooler weather will ignite her feather growth.