Very heavy moult or issue?? Balding chicken

[Kirstie1978]

I have noticed a few more feathers from my bluebell recently. She had never moulted (she's about a year and a bit old I think) she hasn't laid any eggs the past 10 days or so either which I believe can happen during moulting. (Although my boyfriend made a mistake and fed a week of just corn a few weeks ago thinking it was flubenvet pellets!) She has been feeding well and seems well in herself. But today this is what I woke up to.... I've tried to take photos but it's difficult. Her feathers are 'falling' out. I can't see lice etc but will diatomaceous earth her. She gets a dirty bottom from previous live infestation where the feathers had to be cut and are growing back strangely I believe (she gets treated and bathed and cleaned regularly. She does have extensive amount of pin feathers under her wind middle of her back above the bald patch etc.... just never seen anything like this and am unsure what to do....Any advice/suggestions? As with winter and the colder temperatures I'm concerned about her!
Thanks

 

[Kirstie1978]

She is getting worse by the minute. I am quite concerned as to what to do. They literally are falling out in clumps.

 

[coach723]

My guess is, with no other symptoms, it's a molt. I've had chickens molt where it's gradual and barely noticeable, and others just basically have a feather explosion. No rhyme or reason. I had a hen look like half a chicken last year, it was so heavy.
You can up the protein in their feed, which will help with feather growth. During molt I usually mix in feather fixer or grower feed with their regular feed. You can also feed that exclusively during molt, just make sure you are offering oyster shell since the grower feed doesn't have the calcium your hens need. She will likely not lay again until the molt is finished.
Also, if you have a rooster, that may be causing or worsening the bare patch on her back. If that's the case then a hen saddle would help protect that while the feathers grow back. If no rooster then probably just a heavy molt.

 

[Kirstie1978]

THank you for the reply, I have only 3 chicken (one in the naughty coop currently for bullying my old bantam not this one!) I've never had such a heavy molt in 7 years so alarmed me as they are falling out left right and centre. She flaps her wings and 10 feathers at least fall out each time!!! I have a wooden jumper thing I was thinking of trying to put on her as I'm concerned about the cold. Or will she be ok without it? The other chicken isn't pecking at her at all.

 

[coach723]

I wouldn't put anything on her that would catch in pin feathers. Most hen saddles are made of densely woven cloth that does not catch on feathers.
How much warmth they need is dependent on your weather where you are.
Here is a link an article on chickens molting in winter, it happens! Hope it helps.
http://www.communitychickens.com/chickens-molting-winter/
And another: http://countrysidenetwork.com/daily/poultry/feed-health/when-do-chickens-molt-video/

 

[Kirstie1978]

Thank you so much. I came across this lady who makes fleece lined ones so have bought one. I presume this is what you meant?? It's about 6degrees at night here and windy and cold during the day in the uk. Thank you so much
http://orpingtonsuk.com/poultrysaddle.html