Pullets molting before they lay the first egg?

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rlmiddlebrooks

rlmiddlebrooks

In the Brooder
Jul 6, 2015
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I have 4 EE pullets that are molting and have never laid an egg. I'm not sure if this is normal. How long will it last? I have noticed a few feathers here and there but in the last few days it looks like a pillow fight may have happened in the run. Is this normal? How long will it last? The pullets are 9 months old.
 
Pillow fight look sounds like molt to me. Molt can happen at any age and any time of year. There are various molts as birds grow but a bit unusual for EEs to molt their first autumn. Any type of stress can sometimes stimulate molt.
What makes up their entire diet, where are you located and what is lighting like in their coop/hours outdoors.
 
Coop for EE pullets is 4x8 and run is 12x9. Layer feed 16% grit and oyster shell all free choice. The stress is that I just moved them here about three weeks ago. I've just never heard of pullets molting this young. I guess anything is possible. One of them has been sick but she is separated and doing good.
 
The breed I raise will molt their first autumn if they hatch early enough in the year.

My best advice is to lose the layer feed until you start getting eggs. Molting birds can benefit from a higher protein feed. Higher protein may stimulate ovulation. A bird not building egg shells shouldn't be getting 4% calcium in their daily diet.
 
All my girls went through a "mini-molt" shortly before they started laying. I've been told that it's a normal juvenile molt. I have 6 pullets, and it certainly looked like they were having pillow fights! They never lost enough feathers to be visibly noticeable, except for when their tail feathers fell out
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thankfully that didn't last long!
 
ChickenCanoe said:
The breed I raise will molt their first autumn if they hatch early enough in the year.

My best advice is to lose the layer feed until you start getting eggs. Molting birds can benefit from a higher protein feed. Higher protein may stimulate ovulation. A bird not building egg shells shouldn't be getting 4% calcium in their daily diet.
Click to expand...
My lavender orps are doing the same. No eggs yet, pillow fight feathers, husband calling them freeloaders...After reading this thread, I made them a nice protein packed treat, because I can never do just a little.:p Here is an Armanian cucumber, sliced lengthwise. On top is a spread made of scrambled egg, tuna and peanut butter. After some strange looks, it was a big hit![VIDEO]
700

[/VIDEO] In the corner of the picture, is our calico kitty, Steeler, taste testing for her bird friends.
 
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This is a hard molt. One of my girls is almost bald. They are acting ok but feathers everywhere every day. I was so surprised that they would molt like this before laying any eggs. I guess I was wrong!!
 

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