What is wrong with my hen?

[bonquiqui&peepers]

Recently lost our overly amorous rooster so almost all of my 5 hens have regrown their feathers. Only 1 girl is not looking good. The feathers on her head are thin and look dirty and she only has 1 tail feather left. Also missing some feathers on her wings. She is still eating well and roosts with the other girls at night. She seems more lethargic- doesn't stay out of the coop/run long when I let them out in the yard. She gets her treat and then goes back in the run. Any ideas what might be the problem? I appreciate any suggestions.

 

[nuthatched]

She's molting. What's her diet?

 

[bonquiqui&peepers]

I had wondered about that but she's about 3 years old and has never had a really noticeable molt. All the hens are red stars and I haven't seen any of them molt like some of the other breeds we've had ( EE hens looked terrible when they were molting). Also seems late in the year...could recent extreme cold have a role? Glad to know she doesn't have a hideous disease.

Anyway, they eat layer pellets plus some scratch and grit. Also give them grapes, lettuce, a little bread, and scrambled eggs for treats. Lately my husband has been adding sunflower seeds to their feeder with the pellets, etc. Should I increase the protein while she's molting. Thanks for your input.

 

[FrostRanger]

I had wondered about that but she's about 3 years old and has never had a really noticeable molt. All the hens are red stars and I haven't seen any of them molt like some of the other breeds we've had ( EE hens looked terrible when they were molting). Also seems late in the year...could recent extreme cold have a role? Glad to know she doesn't have a hideous disease.

Anyway, they eat layer pellets plus some scratch and grit. Also give them grapes, lettuce, a little bread, and scrambled eggs for treats. Lately my husband has been adding sunflower seeds to their feeder with the pellets, etc. Should I increase the protein while she's molting. Thanks for your input.

I would switch to an all flock with 20% protein. Since she's molting and likely not laying rn she doesn't need the extra calcium in layer feed. Just provide oyster shell on the side for anyone who is laying. Birds molt when they molt, why she's molting now though, who can say. I'd also take care that extras such as scratch, sunflower seeds and bread are no more than 10% of their diet else they're at an increased risk of nutritional deficiencies and obesity

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Recently lost our overly amorous rooster so almost all of my 5 hens have regrown their feathers. Only 1 girl is not looking good. The feathers on her head are thin and look dirty and she only has 1 tail feather left. Also missing some feathers on her wings. She is still eating well and roosts with the other girls at night. She seems more lethargic- doesn't stay out of the coop/run long when I let them out in the yard. She gets her treat and then goes back in the run. Any ideas what might be the problem? I appreciate any suggestions.

Please post a few more photos of your hen, all of her, her legs/feet.
What's her poop like?

Does she lay eggs? When was the last one?

Is she being bullied/kept from food/water since the rooster is gone?

Look her over for lice/mites. Check her crop to make sure it's emptying overnight.

Going back into the run and not interacting with the others and showing signs of lethargy likely points to this being something else besides molt.

See that she's drinking well and eating the normal feed that you provide.

I had wondered about that but she's about 3 years old and has never had a really noticeable molt. All the hens are red stars and I haven't seen any of them molt like some of the other breeds we've had ( EE hens looked terrible when they were molting). Also seems late in the year...could recent extreme cold have a role? Glad to know she doesn't have a hideous disease.

Anyway, they eat layer pellets plus some scratch and grit. Also give them grapes, lettuce, a little bread, and scrambled eggs for treats. Lately my husband has been adding sunflower seeds to their feeder with the pellets, etc. Should I increase the protein while she's molting. Thanks for your input.