this is shedding right? or is it bullying

[chickenlover8969]

Im out with my chickens alot and I have not seen any bullying so is this shedding if so im in Pa and the tempature this week will rang from 20 F - 60F thru out the next ten days so if its shedding or bullying or a different reason should I add suplementle heat if so how should I do that? She is a buff brahma.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is a really heavy molt. Her feathers are growing back in all over. I would give her some extra protein treats such as scramble egg or rinsed canned tuna or meat. Flock raiser 20% protein feed might be helpful as well. She should be warm enough in a coop with no direct drafts on a roost bar where she sleeps between others. I use 2x4 roosts with the wide side up, where they can sleep on their feet.

 

[sean_wonder]

Wow, that is quite the molt. Definitely give her lots of extra protein-- scrambled eggs, canned tuna, mealworms. She should be OK warmth wise. Just watch her pin feathers-- if she does get pecked and a little bloody you can easily Blu-Kote it. Poor gal.

 

[chickenlover8969]

That is a really heavy molt. Her feathers are growing back in all over. I would give her some extra protein treats such as scramble egg or rinsed canned tuna or meat. Flock raiser 20% protein feed might be helpful as well. She should be warm enough in a coop with no direct drafts on a roost bar where she sleeps between others. I use 2x4 roosts with the wide side up, where they can sleep on their feet.

She has room to roost on flat roosting bars but she stays on the second levle of a nesting box row. The other chickens are roosting on the roosting bars this is new for her she is usaly roosting on the r oosting bars with all the other chickens. Any suggestions or is this okay? here is a pic the nesting boxes are being cleaned tommorow just nobody has been using them recently?

 

[orelsi]

I have a hen that sleeps in the nesting boxes when she molts. It helps keep her warm. Should be fine, if you don't mind cleaning after her.

 

[Squawkers]

Wow!! That is a hard molt! She looks like a hedgehog

 

[Eggcessive]

She may feel safer in the nest box, since she is probably sore from the molt. Make sure that she is eating and drinking.

 

[alinas2010]

Poor thing!! You should enter her in the molting contest Or at least have a look through the pics…it may make you feel a bit better about her molt.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/post-your-best-worst-chicken-molt-pictures-2024.1641076/