Hi there! I’m Sarah, the Real Simple Mama, and I love chickens. But it’s heartbreaking when one of our feather babies is molting, or has been bullied, or is feather picking. Losing feathers is an annoying, often painful process for our sweet birds. So I’m here to give you some suggestions of how to help your chickens grow feathers back. Read through the article, and check out the YouTube video of the same name, found at the end of the article!

As always, pick and choose the remedies that work for your backyard flock.

Remember that RSM has a lot of this content mentioned on her world famous Youtube Channel – you can find it here. And also keep in mind that RSM is a passionate backyard chicken tender, but she is not a medical professional so do not take her advice as such.

I do have affiliate links in this article – no extra charge to you but they do help support RSM’s family (and Jurasschic Park, of course!). So thanks for your patronage!

Isn’t it tragic?! – you go into your chicken run to check on your backyard flock, and it looks like a horrific pillow fight has taken place. Must be molting season.

Alternatively, a chicken or two gets a little too much attention from the rooster, or there has been some bullying going on. Bald spots abound, and your chickens look pathetic and miserable.

Whatever the case, it’s a normal thing for chickens to lose some of their feathers. But there are also things we can do, as their humble chicken tenders, to make it easier for their bodies to grow in beautiful new feathers. Read on, friend!

What Is Molting, Anyway?

Molting is a yearly shedding of feathers. All adult chickens (once they’re about a year old) will molt once a year. Some years it hits your chicken hard and they look pitiful; other years the molt will be mild.

Chickens grow their feathers out to full length, and then the fully grown feather will remain until molting season (feathers don’t grow continually like our hair and nails do). 

Pin feathers are the thick beautiful feathers that aren’t done growing in yet. When these feathers are growing in, you’ll see the “pin” or case of the feather coming out of your chicken’s skin (and not gonna lie, it’s kinda freaky). This immature pin feather is made of keratin which is mostly protein, and has blood flow going through it – so you can imagine it’s probably sensitive to the touch, if not downright painful. The feather grows out through this keratin sheath. These larger feathers will have the telltale shaft on them, like a quill. Keep this in mind throughout the article. This other article is great if you want to learn more!

Chickens also can’t control their body temperature as well when they’re missing feathers – most adult chicken breeds have waterproof feathers (we’re talking pretty much everyone except for silkies and frizzles). If your chicken has shiny, smooth feathers, those are waterproof and also act as a blanket. Chickens puff up in winter and create little air pockets between layers, warming themselves up with their feathers. A chicken missing feathers – or a chick, pullet, cockerel, or one of those breeds I mentioned – can’t monitor their body temp. Remember this, too!

The Main Way to Help Chickens Grow Feathers Back

Foods and snacks rich in protein will help your chickens grow feathers back. There are lots of ways to do this, but this is the main way in which I help chickens grow feathers back. 

Consider giving your adult flock some chick grower feed – chick feed has a lot more protein in it since the little ones are still growing, and adult layer feed dials down the protein and adds more calcium for egg laying. When chickens have been bullied or are molting, their bodies will slow down on egg laying as their body’s priority is to get those feathers back!

I have also used Feather Fixer feed before as a supplement, which is the same idea.

If you don’t want to change up the flock’s main feed, you can also look into adding healthy snacks that are high in protein. Here are some that I personally use and recommend:

Remember that your flock always always needs plain, fresh water. And don’t let snacks or supplements end up as more than 20% of their overall diet.

Avoid Handling Your Chickens!

I want to briefly mention that you should do everything possible to keep from handling your chickens as they grow back feathers. Like I said earlier, growing feathers seems like a painful process. So don’t pick up your chicken, don’t try to cuddle them, leave them alone as much as possible.

Another Suggestions As You Help Chickens Grow Feathers Back

This is not necessary, but you may choose to cover your chickens as they grow back feathers. This may be to deter a rooster from doing further damage; it may be because the weather is getting colder and you want to make sure your chickens can keep themselves warm; or you may want to give their body a better chance to heal from an attack or a bully.

I’ve had chickens for almost five years (!!!!) and this is the first time I’m using a cover called a chicken sweater, or a saddle. This can be a handmade or purchased from all kinds of different soft materials. The saddle acts like a vest, and is held in place by going over and under the chicken’s wings (think wing holes instead of arm holes on a vest). 

I do not suggest that you keep clothes on your chickens perpetually as it’s not necessary, they can’t control their body temperature as well (e.g. they can get too hot), and they can’t preen or dust bathe appropriately. But as a temporary shield to help chickens grow feathers back, I think it’s a good idea!

I actually found Maymie on Etsy here and have done multiple orders from her. Her pieces are so beautiful, arrive quickly, and her customer service is second-to-none. And I’m a paying customer so you can believe I’m telling the truth as always!

A quick tip: Measure your chicken before you buy or make a chicken saddle! I made the mistake of guessing what size my chickens needed when I rescued four from a bullying situation, and poor Maymie made me four beautiful saddles… that were too small. 

One More Quick Reminder

Once your chickens have grown their feathers back in, consider clipping their wings. The old feathers from last year are gone, which means if you’ve trimmed feathers in the past you need to do it again! I have a YouTube video on how to do this – it’s a lot easier to do with two people but it’s quick and easy, and a once-a-year chore that can help keep your chickens safe at home.

I hope that this gives you some ideas on how to help your backyard chickens grow feathers back, whether from an annual molt or something else. Feel free to add more suggestions down below!