How to help a bald chicken in freezing weather

[lawnmowergirl]

One of my hens (I have 7) has her feathers removed/pecked off on her back, head and where her wings meet her body. I haven't seen the rooster mating with her nor have I seen hens pecking her. I'm worried about her staying warm when the weather gets down to zero. That's as low as it goes once or twice in the winter. I don't heat me hen house because our electricity goes out periodically. What if I use the blue/purple liquid on her? Will it keep them from pecking? So far she seems to be ok when it's in the low 20's.

 

[Miss Lydia]

When one of my hens was very late molting I put a hen saver on her till her feathers grew back. If that’s not an option def use blue kote because if they break the skin and cause her to bleed that will not end well for her.

 

[lawnmowergirl]

Thanks for your comments. I'll try blue kote. I read that it's not good to cover the hen with anything because she can't fluff out her remaining feathers and she might get colder.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I never saw a problem with my Bantam Orpington maybe someone else would know.

 

[aart]

Figuring out why she is being picked would be good.
Blukote is not likely to stop it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’ve had it work but it may haven’t been as bad as the Op is seeing. A picture would probably be a good idea.

 

[aart]

A picture would probably be a good idea.

..and knowing more details of the situation....
-flock size(numbers, ages, genders),
-coop(size in feet by feet with pics),
-what all and how exactly you are feeding,
might offer clues to if there is a solvable problem.

 

[lawnmowergirl]

I've been watching but haven't seen any mating or pecking. I'm thinking it might be at night in the hen house. 2 roosters (they don't fight) and 7 hens. One rooster and 5 hens are 3 (all arrived together-rhode island reds) and the other rooster and two hens are 1-1/2. Pen is 12'x 18' and hen house is 8'x6' with 2 roosts, not counting 6 nest boxes. The don't free range - too many predators. I feed layer crumbles, with some treats: sunflower seeds, scratch, chopped kale, dried meal worms and misc. kitchen leftovers. pictures above. And they are in the hen house today due to freezing rain.

 

[aart]

So 4 males and 14 hens total?
I'd get rid of the males, they might not fight but I'd bet the girls get too much 'attention'.
Even with just 14 hens, 8x6 is tight quarters..
Am guessing the baldy is a low hen and probably is 'weak' feathered,
new feathers trying to fill in maybe are being picked.

 

[lawnmowergirl]

So 4 males and 14 hens total?
I'd get rid of the males, they might not fight but I'd bet the girls get too much 'attention'.
Even with just 14 hens, 8x6 is tight quarters..
Am guessing the baldy is a low hen and probably is 'weak' feathered,
new feathers trying to fill in maybe are being picked.

No - 2 males and 7 females. They are between 1-1.2 yrs to 3 years old.