Silkie losing feathers!

[annierose]

Help!
I've just noticed in the last 24 hours that my 10-11 month old silkie is losing her feather, you can easily pull them out. I just can't believe how easy they are coming out.

I live in Melbourne and It's currently spring, hot day today of 30'C.

She has just finished being broody in the last 1-2 week; where she removed a lot of her belly feathers, i'm seeing some regrowth there.

I've checked her skin the belly which has some growth looks like it got a bit of dry, flaky skin but is otherwise okay.
She's eating & drinking still.

I'm going to dust her with mite powder but worried about her losing more feathers!


I open the coop today to see so many of her feathers under her perch (picture attached).

 

[PioneerChicks]

Maybe she is molting?

 

[annierose]

Maybe she is molting?

Is that possible? It's spring here and she's 10-11 months?

 

[PioneerChicks]

Is that possible? It's spring here and she's 10-11 months?

Maybe? That age is unusual, but I think it is possible. I'll watch this thread.
Best of luck!

 

[Desertvalleychickens]

Help!
I've just noticed in the last 24 hours that my 10-11 month old silkie is losing her feather, you can easily pull them out. I just can't believe how easy they are coming out.

I live in Melbourne and It's currently spring, hot day today of 30'C.

She has just finished being broody in the last 1-2 week; where she removed a lot of her belly feathers, i'm seeing some regrowth there.

I've checked her skin the belly which has some growth looks like it got a bit of dry, flaky skin but is otherwise okay.
She's eating & drinking still.

I'm going to dust her with mite powder but worried about her losing more feathers!


I open the coop today to see so many of her feathers under her perch (picture attached).






View attachment 2396870

My guess is that it is molting...

 

[annierose]

Update:
She's still losing feathers- big ones too. I can feel some of the regrowth but being conscious not to pick her up also.
I'm feeding her a lot more dried worms to increase her protein intake and hopefully put on more weight.

But she's eating and acting normal in the garden.

 

[BunnyEberhart]

She could just be having a really bad molt. It does happen. If there is regrowth, and as long as there are no other signs of illness I would just keep doing what you are doing. One thing i have learned is chicken time doesn't care about the rest of the worlds time guidelines. Their bodies do their own thing. Lol if you post some close up pics of her most dramatic feather loss areas we can look for other issues as well. More eyes on the problem more people might be able to spot something. ^_^

 

[annierose]

Picture of the molting with new feathers coming through.
She is a lot thinner than my other silkie, but is eating and drinking still

She is no longer roosting at night, she sleeps in a nesting box. I need to fix the perches as there is not enough room.

It's 30'c today and i caught her lying in a nesting box in the hen house, she was hot (panting). I've closed the hen house - other girls have laid today. Not sure why she'd be in the nesting box

what can i give her to fatten her up ?

 

[Matzwd]

Yes, she is just molting. Some girls get temperamental during molt and want to be more to themselves. I have one who prefers a nest box when molting as well. How high are your roosts? Feathers might be too sparse right now for her to get up there....just a thought.

 

[annierose]

Yes, and is just molting. Some girls get temperamental during molt and want to be more to themselves.vi have one who prefers a nest box when molting as well. How high are your roosts? Feathers might be too sparse right now for her to get up there....just a thought.

Thank you, she has definitely been a bit more independent. nesting box is a no for her today just too hot! need to figure out how to put a fan into the hen house!