URGENT Hen Rapidly Losing Weight

[Eva2020]

Hi everyone,

My 2.5 year old leghorn hen started molting earlier this fall and I was worried when they were taking a while to grow back since my other hens didn't really molt, but she seemed fine otherwise so I didn't worry. Her feathers did start growing back, but I guess they never fully did. Now, she looks really thin (picture attached) and I'm getting worried. She has always been the smallest of my flock of 4 since she is a leghorn and my other chickens are larger breeds, but I can tell that this isn't right. She isn't lethargic and seems fine aside from her appearance. I just cleaned the coop and didn't notice any worms in any of the chickens droppings. My 3 other hens seem to be at a healthy weight and there aren't any changes to their environment except the temperature and getting dark earlier of course (I'm in New York).

Attached is a picture of my 4 chickens a few months ago (she's smaller than them but healthy) and the second photo is today. I would greatly appreciate any help or guidance. Thanks so much.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Hi! What are you feeding them?

 

[Eva2020]

Hi! What are you feeding them?

Normally they get Manna Pro Layer Pellets or Dumor 16% layer pellets Actually for the past week they have been eating another kind of food that my mom bought since we ran out and it was the only thing we could get on short notice. I'll call her and ask what the ingredients were, but it wasn't pellets, it was some sort of whole grains and corn mixture.

 

[SmiYa0126]

You should bump up the protein, try to get an all flock and offer it half and half. Also if you can give her raw yolk or canned tuna, it will help with feathering out.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

She definitely looks rough from the molt, but are you sure she is losing weight? You can check her keel bone and see if it feels very sharp and prominent. I have some girls that go from being broody straight into a winter molt which can be very tough since they weren't eating well when broody, but always come around with a little rooster booster and some high protein treats like egg or tuna.

Whole grains and corn mixture doesn't sound nutritionally balanced. I'd get them back on pellets as soon as possible and offer her some extra protein.

 

[Eva2020]

@Razzlefrazzle @SmiYa0126 Thanks so much I will try the tuna!