Missing feathers - how to handle cold/winter?

[PrettyCoolChicks]

Hi folks,

Couple days ago, I noticed a bird with an injured pin feather (It looked like it had bled quite a bit, but I couldn't find a wound other than the tip of one pin feather being red). The next day, I was shocked to see two hens with bare backs! One was expected because of molting/regrowing feathers from overmating, but all the other hens had just regrown brand new feathers and one was now bare backed again - all the new feathers were cleanly gone, and only the new feathers too. Took me less than 24h to identify the bully and he's now in my fridge to be eaten.

But... that leaves me with a hen with a bare back who had just finished her molt. Any chance that they can regrow a second time immediately, or is she going to have to tough it out through the winter like this? It can get down to -10/-20C; that's 14/-4F

Would giving her game bird feed for a month help? (saw that in another thread, but unsure if it would apply here...)
Would a chicken saddle keep her warm enough? Do I knit her a wool saddle lining? Or modify one to give it a down filling for warmth?

Any advice appreciated

 

[Debbie292d]

Game bird feed is higher in protein than other chicken feeds, which helps feathers. Or, you could just feed her some scrambled eggs every few days, canned tuna (in water), a few meal worms, etc.

If you have power to your coop, I'd put a Cozy Coop radiant heater there for her to sit next to. We have three for our temp pens to be able to keep chicks outside in those temps. They are extremely safe, don't get hot enough to burn them, and shut off if tipped over.

If not, here's the saddles I bought but not sure they'll really be warm as they are breathable for summer. Probably could find something like those much cheaper just made out of cotton. The problem with that is growing back feathers is painful if touched and so these saddles would most likely be painful for her to wear.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would watch out for any more feather picking, now that the rooster is gone. I have used no sew polar fleece hen saddles over some bare backed hens when my young rooster was over-mating them in the early day. I found an old sweat shirt, cut some 7x9 inch rectangles, cut 2 slits for wings, and made some similar to the one in this link bellow:
http://www.linnacresfarm.com/2014/04/how-to-make-simple-hen-saddleapron.html
Once they are on, they are held on by the wings. You can then trim them to fit.

 

[PetalandHens]

Hi folks,

Couple days ago, I noticed a bird with an injured pin feather (It looked like it had bled quite a bit, but I couldn't find a wound other than the tip of one pin feather being red). The next day, I was shocked to see two hens with bare backs! One was expected because of molting/regrowing feathers from overmating, but all the other hens had just regrown brand new feathers and one was now bare backed again - all the new feathers were cleanly gone, and only the new feathers too. Took me less than 24h to identify the bully and he's now in my fridge to be eaten.

But... that leaves me with a hen with a bare back who had just finished her molt. Any chance that they can regrow a second time immediately, or is she going to have to tough it out through the winter like this? It can get down to -10/-20C; that's 14/-4F

Would giving her game bird feed for a month help? (saw that in another thread, but unsure if it would apply here...)
Would a chicken saddle keep her warm enough? Do I knit her a wool saddle lining? Or modify one to give it a down filling for warmth?

Any advice appreciated

Sorry I don’t have advice, I’m following for guidance with a similar situation; I have a leghorn who is on track to need a saddle this winter

I’m curious if extreme temperatures (cold) can lead to excessive molting? Some sort of shock reaction?

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry I don’t have advice, I’m following for guidance with a similar situation; I have a leghorn who is on track to need a saddle this winter

I’m curious if extreme temperatures (cold) can lead to excessive molting? Some sort of shock reaction?

Can you post some pictures? How long has the chicken been molting and what is the exact age? They molt around 18 months and then around every 12 months. Could it be some feather picking going on?

 

[PetalandHens]

Can you post some pictures? How long has the chicken been molting and what is the exact age? They molt around 18 months and then around every 12 months. Could it be some feather picking going on?

She is ~19 months old and molting (noticeably) for less than a week. Her tail feathers are all gone And see other feathers in the coop and run. When you handle her she drops a few; she’s all around a little rough.
This is my first flock so always reaching out to BYC with each big change!

 

[PetalandHens]

She is ~19 months old and molting (noticeably) for less than a week. Her tail feathers are all gone And see other feathers in the coop and run. When you handle her she drops a few; she’s all around a little rough.
This is my first flock so always reaching out to BYC with each big change!

Hoping it’s that 18month molt tho her ‘sisters’ aren’t as dramatic as hers, they seem to be turning over some feathers.

No signs of pecking and she is the top of the flock, usually.

 

[PetalandHens]

She is ~19 months old and molting (noticeably) for less than a week. Her tail feathers are all gone And see other feathers in the coop and run. When you handle her she drops a few; she’s all around a little rough.
This is my first flock so always reaching out to BYC with each big change!

@Eggcessive what say you?