Solitary chicken - need advice

[Noodleman]

Good Evening all,

 

I am hoping that I can get some advice from the community about moulting. I have 3 pekin bantam hens which are all just over 14 months old. A few weeks ago two of them went through a very light moult, however the third went through a "hard moult" and has dropped at least 50-60% of her feathers.

 

From the research I have done so far I find lots of people suggesting that this process is usually ending about now, not starting. I am a concerned that my hen may have a problem keeping warm through the current cold spell, especially at night.

 

If you were to find yourself with this concern, how would you handle it?

 

thanks in advance for any replies,

 

Noodle

[redsunset]

Hello, I have a little white leghorn who has decided to moult only recently and looks terrible! Think I must have an Isa moulting too judging by feather colour n the coop? I was surprised as thought they had all finished and growing back feathers but obviously a couple of late stragglers?

They are all ok as had heavy frost last night/today so assume they snuggle up well at night as have never shut the pop holes.

I wouldn't worry to much. I am in North west scotland in the windy outer Hebrides so if my wee chooks can survive then yours can too. Hope this helps (I have this years hatch at 22 wks old, some the size of Perkins who insist on sleeping outside in a tree) despite frost/wind/ rain.......gave up (trying to put them in a coop) and they are all fine and healthy, lol!

[Beantree]

You may have to bring her in for a while every day if she starts shivering. Hypothermia is always a danger.

 

Bantams are particularly sensitive to cold and we bring ours inside, even fully feathered in a very warm coop, if the temperature is forecast at -4C. Large fowl are far more tolerant.

 

I personally wouldn't take any chances. She'd be inside during the cold spell.

[Noodleman]

Sounds like you have a larger flock, more hens for snuggling

 

Was damn cold here last night as well, I think we hit -7. We decided to give them a hot water bottle buried under some straw, our half naked hen then spent some time sat on that to keep warm before moving to a perch with the others.

 

By the morning the bottle was cold, which was expected, but at least it gave her some warmth before bed

 

We are keeping an eye on her. I am considering one of those pet heat mats, looks like a good idea as it will stay warm all night. I want to avoid bringing her in unless absolutely necessary, even if it is only a short while.

 

Anybody else used the heat mats before?

[jimnpaula]

I've heard of people on here using a SnuggleSafe. I have one but have not used it for chooks but it strikes me as easy to clean and it holds the heat well.

[Mars]

I used electric hen for newly hatched chicks. it works very well. but you need a socket. also if you put it in the coop, most likely number one in pecking order will keep it for herself, unless you isolate the moulting hen.