Is this a winter moult?

[Lucylou]

I have heard of chooks having a winter moult ...but in this weather?

One of my newer birds has started loosing feathers like a pillow with a hole in it! Every time she moves more fall out. This started majorly yesterday but she was loosing just a few for a couple of days before this.

She is one of the top 2 of the pecking order so its not bullying. I have been keeping my eye on her because I have noticed her going into the nesting box every couple of days & producing nothing, I though there might be a problem, although she has been having a winter rest from laying for about a month.

Could this be due to stress? I'm worried she'll get cold without feathers, she's already looking patchy. Does anyone have any suggestions & also how to keep her warm. At least we can put on an extra sweater, she can't!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Lucylou,i've also got one who is very patchy,bald in places.I think they are fine whilst moving about,it keeps them warm.Whenever I pick her up she feels warm,pick your girl up when she's been outside for an hour or two and see how she feels.I think as long as they are dry everything is ok,maybe just check she's not damp on a wet day to go to bed.
At night snuggled up with the other's she will be fine.

 

[Anonymous]

I've also increased the amount of corn I give mine in the afternoon,to help keep them warm.