Will their feathers ever grow back? UPDATE!

[thechickenchick]

I had a very aggressive rooster. He attacked people and was very hard on the girls. He got himself a one way ticket to freezer camp. That was months ago. I thought once he was gone his "favorite" girls feathers would grow back in. They haven't and the poor things look awful.

The skin is very red and almost callous looking. They eat and lay just fine. However they look bad and I am afraid that someone may think they are being mistreated. I don't have to many roosters, so none of the damage is new.

I have looked for mites. I am not sure if there could be something I am missing. If you have any ideas let me know. Any help is appreciated. Are they destined to live their lives naked? If so, should I buy them saddles to protect them from sun and cold?

 

[LynneP]

They should have feathers by now, so I think you are looking in the right direction and I'd treat for mites and clean the coop down thoroughly.

Also, when you get them back on track, use a good layer feed for the mature hens and consider offering a wild bird suet block in the coop to give the new feathers lustre.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

It is possible for the rooster to damage or rip the follicles out. Those feathers may never grow back.

My Barred Rock has a bald head now thanks to over mating. Has been like that for months. You can see tiny feathers there, but otherwise, I don't think they're coming back.

 

[thechickenchick]

Thank you both for your advise. I had a feeling that they probably wouldn't grow back. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing the under lying reason.

I may treat for mites anyway, just in case. Also the coop gets a through cleaning in the fall so I may just push that up a bit to be safe. They get layer feed and scratch, also garden scraps and household scraps.

Thanks again

 

[Judy]

I have one who has worn a saddle for months for the same reason. Keeps her warm in winter and prevents sunburn; also keeps the others from bothering her bare spot. Very simple to make it yourself; all you need is a scrap of polarfleece and scissors. I don't even use the tail hole, just the two wing holes:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=167

Scroll down near the end of the site.

 

[chickiedoodle]

Ddawn--So glad I found this!! My girls feathers are just not growing back properly, but I have too many to buy little jackets for them and have been frustrated about what to do. Now I know and I even have some polar fleece laying around. Hopefully they won't mind wearing coats with snoopy on them

Thanks for sharing!

 

[thechickenchick]

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Thank you! This is great! I just happen to have some bright yellow fleece around here somewhere.

 

[thechickenchick]

Update!!!!

The girls are getting feathers! I can't believe it, it has been about a year and they are finally coming back! Just goes to show I need to practice patience!! They look so pretty

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

Hurray for good news!

 

[thechickenchick]

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