Skinny, feathers missing and pale comb

[TomBedsHens]

Hi, I've been reading up on this and suspect worms, but....

One of my hens who is usually the boss and full of energy started what appeared like moulting about 3 weeks ago. Feathers everywhere and picked her up and rubbed her belly and lots falling out. Checked her for mites and she was all clear.

Today I have looked at her and her face was pale and it looks like her feathers have been pecked out of the base of her back and maybe a few on her head. She appears a little lazier but is still eating. No signs again of mites but she does feel a little skinnier and wasn't happy that I picked her up.

I use powder for the run and coop and use natural de wormer every now and then in the water. They are fed mainly layer pellets but have had a fair amount of pumpkin recently.

Any help would be great. Can't really go to the vets until Monday so any idea would be good.

Thanks
Tom and Chloe

 

[wamtazlady]

The other hens maybe be picking on her because she's weaker at the moment. You might try to feed her some extra protein to help her grow her feathers faster. If she's picked on a lot you may have to separate her from the others. A dog crate left in the coop or run might be a way to allow her to grow feathers and still let her stay with the others.

One of my hens looks awful right now. Expecting her to be lovely and feathered out in a couple weeks. Some chickens seem to have a harder molt than others.

 

[azygous]

Molt affects some hens more drastically than others. They lose weight, slow down, and behave as if they were sick.

It helps to switch to a higher protein feed during molt with oyster shell on the side for those still laying. Occasional treats of canned mackerel help with both energy and feather growth.

Molt can worry the best of us, and I believe it's sometimes harder on us than it is on our chickens.