Winter can be a challenging time for backyard chicken keepers. As the temperatures drop, you may notice your chickens losing feathers when they need them most for insulation. Feather loss in chickens during winter is alarming and can leave you scratching your head wondering – why do chickens lose feathers in winter?
When it gets cold, chickens lose a lot of feathers. Feathers protect chickens from the weather, and losing them makes it harder for the chicken to keep its body heat.
Why do chickens lose their feathers in the winter? This article will tell you what you can do to help your flock.
Causes of Chicken Losing Feathers in Winter
Feather loss in chickens can occur due to various reasons. Here are some of the most common causes of chickens losing feathers in winter:
Molting
Molting is the natural, annual shedding and replacement of feathers in chickens. It typically occurs in late summer or early fall.
However, some chickens may experience a late molt that extends into the winter months. Molting is a leading cause of feather loss in winter as chickens drop old, worn out plumage and grow fresh new feathers.
During a molt, you’ll see feathers all over the coop as they fall out uniformly. Pin feathers will be visible where old feathers shed. Molting can last a few weeks or even months depending on the individual chicken.
External Parasites
Small bugs like mites, lice, and fleas can get into your chickens’ skin and make them itch, which can cause them to lose feathers. There are more of these parasites in the winter because chickens spend more time inside.
If there is an infestation, feathers will fall out in patches instead of all over the body. Inflamed skin may show up as scabs or dry, flaky skin close to the feather base.
Stress
Stress from various sources can trigger chickens to lose feathers. Drafty conditions, overcrowding, changes in diet or routines, or loud noises can stress chickens.
Predators like hawks or dogs can also stress your flock and cause feathers to fall out prematurely. Dehydration and malnutrition are other stress factors.
Stress induces physiological changes in chickens that can disrupt the growth and shedding of feathers. It can also weaken the feather shaft, causing feathers to dislodge easily.
Dietary Deficiencies
Chickens require nutrients like protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to maintain healthy plumage. Deficiencies, especially protein deficiency, can lead to poor feather quality.
Without adequate protein, chickens may pluck their own feathers and damage others’ feathers. This can result in bald spots on the body that the chicken can reach with its beak.
Illness
Sometimes an underlying illness like fowl pox, Marek’s disease or malnutrition can cause abnormal feather loss. Chickens with a compromised immune system are also prone to losing feathers.
Along with missing feathers, sick chickens may show other symptoms like lethargy, diarrhea, swollen eyes, or foamy discharge. Consult a vet promptly if disease is suspected.
Age
Older chickens naturally tend to molt more feathers. Growing feathers back also takes longer compared to younger chickens.
Poor Ventilation
A coop that lacks proper ventilation can create an unhealthy environment for chickens. Moisture build-up can damage feathers and cause them to fall out.
Ammonia from droppings can also irritate chickens’ skin and respiratory tract when ventilation is inadequate. Overcrowding makes these issues worse.
What To Do If Your Chicken Is Losing Feathers
If your chickens are looking ragged and losing feathers in winter, take these steps:
-
Check for parasites – Look for lice or mites near the vent and under wings. Part the feathers gently to inspect the skin. Treat any infestations found.
-
Improve ventilation – Ensure the coop has adequate airflow. Reduce moisture buildup by adding extra bedding.
-
Provide warmth – Add extra straw bedding for insulation. Let chickens huddle together to share body warmth. Avoid using heat lamps.
-
Increase protein – Boost protein intake with sunflower seeds, mealworms or high protein feed. Support feather regrowth.
-
Reduce stress – Make sure feed and clean water are always available. Maintain normal routines. Limit loud noises or sudden changes.
-
Check for illness – Look for symptoms like reduced appetite, lethargy or diarrhea. Consult a vet if concerned.
-
Weatherproof the coop – Ensure the coop protects chickens from cold, rain and wind. Close any drafts or gaps.
-
Add enrichment – Provide boredom busters like greens, scratch grains or cabbage heads for foraging.
-
Consult a vet – If the cause of feather loss cannot be identified, seek advice from an avian vet.
Tips For Healthy Feathers In Winter
Here are some key tips to maintain your chickens’ feathers during the cold winter months:
-
Feed a nutritious diet with 16-18% protein feed. This supports the growth of new feathers.
-
Ensure adequate intake of amino acids like methionine and cysteine which are essential for feather formation.
-
Provide a calcium source like oyster shell. Calcium deficiency can cause brittle, easily broken feathers.
-
Offer treats high in fat and protein like sunflower seeds, mealworms and scrambled eggs to fuel feather regrowth.
-
Check for any sharp points or objects in the coop that can snag and pull out feathers.
-
Keep coops clean and take measures to prevent external parasites.
-
Apply vaseline or coconut oil to any exposed skin on chickens lacking feathers to prevent frostbite.
-
Separate any aggressive chickens who may be plucking feathers.
-
Make sure the coop is free from drafts and provides insulation from the cold.
-
Avoid overcrowding chickens which can restrict feather growth.
-
Reduce stress by providing a calm environment and consistent daily care.
-
Observe chickens daily for any abnormal behavior or signs of illness.
When To Seek Help
Consult your vet promptly if:
-
You are unable to identify the cause of feather loss
-
Feather loss is accompanied by lethargy, appetite changes or other illness
-
Bald spots from feather plucking keep increasing
-
Feathers show signs of constriction bands or lashing
-
Pin feathers are slow to emerge after molting
-
Feather loss persists despite your interventions
While winter feather loss can be concerning, staying vigilant and providing supportive care can help your chickens regrow lush plumage. Be patient as it takes time for new feathers to come in. Monitor your flock closely until their insulating feathers are fully restored. With some TLC and a little detective work, you can get to the bottom of sudden chicken baldness and have your birds looking fluffy again!
Are they stressed?
When chickens experience stress, they may start pecking other bird’s feathers, or display aggressive behaviour towards other birds. This can lead to feather loss or injury, which can further increase stress levels and exacerbate the problem.
Too many birds in a coop, changes in their environment (like adding new birds), or changes to their routine or diet can all be stressful for chickens and cause them to lose feathers.
To prevent feather loss due to stress, its important to ensure that chickens have enough space to move around and that they have adlib access to food and water.
Providing a stimulating environment with perches, perhaps a straw bale or tree branch in their run, and other enrichments can also help to reduce stress levels.
For a purpose-made entertainment apparatus, see our Jungle Gym.
Are they moulting?
Moulting is the process of shedding and regrowing feathers, which typically occurs in the fall or winter when daylight hours decrease. Chickens moult each year as part of their natural growth cycle.
Chickens need to replace old or damaged feathers, which can become tattered, or even infested with mites or lice over time. It also allows them to prepare for colder weather by growing thicker and warmer feathers.
They do need perhaps some extra protein to help regrow the feathers so for this you can change them to a Growers Pellets or Chick Crumb with higher protein levels – or hang up a pecking block like the Silvermoor Alfa Hanging Block which is compressed alfalfa and full of protein.
During ‘The Moult’, usually Autumn, chickens will temporarily stop laying eggs or produce fewer eggs than usual, as their bodies divert energy and nutrients towards growing new feathers.
Once the moulting process is done, they will resume their normal egg-laying routine.
Chickens Molting Or Something Else? 9 REASONS Chickens LOSE Feathers And What To Do About It!
FAQ
What should I do if my chicken is molting in the winter?
Give her lots of protein and some vitamins. Spoil her and keep her warm and cozy. She will be fine and look even more beautiful when her new feathers grow in again.
Is it normal for chickens to lose their feathers in the winter?
Moulting is the process of feathers falling out and growing back in. It usually happens in the fall or winter when there are fewer daylight hours. Chickens moult each year as part of their natural growth cycle.
How do you treat chickens that are losing feathers?
First, you’ll need to clean out your coop, spray it for mites several times and also treat your chickens. Isolate the rooster for a few weeks to give them hens time to grow back feathers. Use blue Kote or a blue spray to spray bald patches to keep them from picking each other. You can try upping protein.
Why do chickens lose feathers?
Certain illnesses can cause feather loss in chickens. Diseases like Marek’s disease, fowl pox, polyomavirus, gangrenous dermatitis, and malnutrition are some of the reasons for chickens losing feathers. Infections such as vent gleet can also cause chickens to lose their feathers along with a whitish-yellow discharge. What You Should Do?.
Why do Roosters lose feathers on their back?
Roosters can be overzealous in their mating habits, causing hens to end up losing feathers on their back. Consider separating the roosters or using hen saddles to protect the hens’ back feathers. 7. Check for Illness Sometimes, feather loss in chickens is due to underlying diseases.
What are the most common causes of feather loss?
Here’s a rundown of the most common causes of feather loss. The most common cause of feather loss is the annual molt. Less daylight and less intense sunlight in the fall cause old feathers to fall out and new ones to grow.
Why do chickens molt their feathers?
This is a normal phenomenon that happens just around the autumn season. Your chickens start molting their feathers to help them prepare for winter. By losing their old, damaged feathers, the chickens will replace them with brand-new ones that can better withstand the cold.
Why is my chicken Balding?
Lack of essential nutrients can lead to poor feather quality and feather loss. Some chickens pluck feathers due to protein deficiency. As a result, you may see balding spots on the chicken’s body, commonly in areas that they can easily reach. What You Should Do? Ensure a well-balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Do chickens shed feathers?
If you’ve had chickens for any length of time, you know they shed feathers. The occasional feather dropped around the yard is normal, with heavier feather loss occurring during the fall molt. Most flocks recover from molting without a hitch. But there are those who appear to refuse to regrow their feathers.