Wondering if molting hens feel the cold more?

Poor Alice, the six-year old SLW in the center with her butt highlighted in the glow of a red heat lamp, has planted herself there for most of the day. It was in the single digits most of the morning today, with six inches of snow overnight. None of the flock is happy about it.

But Alice, who is taking forever to complete molt and is now looking more like a frizzled breed, is especially uncomfortable. Skin is showing in patches on her shoulders, and the sparse re-growth is doing little to insulate her tiny body against this fierce cold.

You can see at the left, sunshine is coming through the glass windows on the south side of the run, but Alice finds more heat and comfort from the red lamp.