What went WRONG with her molt?!?!

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

I have a GLW hen, Zee, from hatchery stock. She turned one this February, and began her first molt last month. Her flockmates have grown back beautiful new feathers - but not Zee.

Her feathers don't have barbs all the way along the shaft - they are feathered either only on one side or only at the end. A few of her feathers up in the hackle areas have come back white, too.

I've been feeding my birds extra BOSS since they've been molting, and they free range for plenty of grubs and bugs, so I don't think it's a protein issue. Any ideas?

 

[patnjess]

how odd. I've never seen that.

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

I've never seen it either, and can't seem to find anything on the web. She'll be fine through the summer, of course, but I'm worried she'll be cold this winter!

 

[princess araucana]

strange! Maybe you can start a new breed of "tropic lace" feathered chickens!

 

[goldysgirl]

Hello, I am newly registered...but have followed for years. I would love to know what causes that as well. I have a 3 year old chicken with the same issue, except her case is a little more severe. Most of her feathers are poorly developed. She is about three years old and used to have beautiful healthy feathers. She had a prolapse when she was younger and soon after she molted and grew in these crazy feathers. She also lays soft shelled eggs. She has molted about three times since and her feathers always come in this way, although she looks like she has improved with the last molt. The first time it happened her neck and belly were virtually naked until the next molt. I am wondering if it could be a hormone issue (ex. thyroid?). She eats well and otherwise seems pretty happy and has made it through a winter...she will sleep in the nest box when it gets cold. I tried supplementing with lots of eggs, but I don't think it is a diet issue. All of the other girls are very healthy looking. I did see a peacock online with tail feathers like this once.

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

Quote:
Well, at least our girls are alone! It would be nice to figure out what's going on, though....

 

[goldysgirl]

I was checking to see if anyone else had thought of a cause and I noticed your bird is a GLW...golden laced wyandotte???...my funny feathered girl is a silver laced wyandotte...I wonder if they could be prone to some sort of problem or if this is just a coincidence...I should post my girl's pic...you would probably be shocked that her feathers are exactly like your bird's! Oh, and my son named her Debbie when she was a chick...which turned out to be very fitting because I call her Poor Little Debbie because she is so featherless and scruffy.

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

Please do post a pic! I would like to see another example of this interesting phenomenon.