Molting chicken?

Hm, I hadn't realized that Rocks in particular could get bored more easily but it makes sense because imo she's one of my smartest birds so not being able to use her brains must be frustrating. I guess I need to get the new run finished? But maybe I can give her something to do in the current run? I gotta think of something more long term though cause they get pretty bored of new dirt or veggies fast or they don't last long. Maybe some more perches or a swing or something? I had read they could be bullies but hadn't realized it could be boredom. So theoretically if I make them less bored they won't pick on each other?
A big pile of grass clippings can keep them occupied for days. I think of them as the border collies of the chicken world. They are very smart, very active, very assertive birds. While those traits make them a very fun pet, it can make them a challenge for keepers with space limitations. They do need their room, or they get very grouchy and irritable.
A compost pile in the run, that you can give them access to when it needs turning over is a good idea. Stumps that can be turned over once a week to reveal all sorts of bugs adds interest as well. If you've got a tree dropping a ton of leaves, rake them up and dump in the run. A flake of hay is a good option, too. When my flock needs confining, I give them opportunities to forage in the run as much as possible by tossing scratch grains in a pile of litter or oyster shell scatter throughout.
They are fantastic foragers. If allowed to free range in a varied environment, they consume very little feed.
 
I have a mix of chickens... 3 red sex-link, 3 Wellsummer, 3 Rhode Island Red and 1 Bard Cochin that are between 16-18 months old. I think that the majority of my hens are molting in some form or another and I have two hens brooding. I am concerned about two of my Wellsummers. They seem to be losing the most feathers, and both have bald spots. Could this be a "hard" molt? I looked at them earliers and did not see any signs of mites. This has been going on for the past 3 weeks or so. Does anyone have any thoughts as to how long this could last? The 3 red's seem to be losing some feathers, but nothing compared to the other two. Thanks for any help.
 
Hi Kelsey
After reviewing both of your videos and replying to your initial post. You may perhaps revisit it.
I now do not think it is related to a molt, primarily because your other birds do not show any signs of it.
I believe it definitely seems to be caused through being beaten up due to the pecking order.
Just FYI and I hope you do not take this the wrong way: I noticed your chicken run is made of chain link fence.
Also the gap in your the door going into the run has a very large gap in it. Predators can and will go through chain link fence
and any gap more than 1" and even less than that. Perhaps you have been lucky so far but it only takes one attack to loose
your complete flock. Just FYI Kelsey not being critical.
 
Hi Kelsey
After reviewing both of your videos and replying to your initial post. You may perhaps revisit it.
I now do not think it is related to a molt, primarily because your other birds do not show any signs of it.
I believe it definitely seems to be caused through being beaten up due to the pecking order.
Just FYI and I hope you do not take this the wrong way: I noticed your chicken run is made of chain link fence.
Also the gap in your the door going into the run has a very large gap in it. Predators can and will go through chain link fence
and any gap more than 1" and even less than that.  Perhaps you have been lucky so far but it only takes one attack to loose
your complete flock. Just FYI Kelsey not being critical.


Sorry, only just got back on BYC the other day. Anyway, I definitely think you are right. Especially since I've noticed the last couple weeks she doesn't seem to hang with the flock as much, hides/hangs back when I come in or have treats (unless it's GREAT then she pushes in), etc. She also hasn't been laying for a while and just the past few days I've noticed she doesn't have a tail now. And there are feathers ALL over the run and they're all hers :( they seem to have almost shunned her from the flock? But then she does sometimes hang out with the lower pecking order girls especially when I let them free range, which I haven't done like at all lately, so it's not entirely. I added another branch a little while back which she now uses a lot but they are relentless. I feel AWFUL. But the weird thing is sometimes, like now, they are fine? And I don't want to get rid of them because I love all my girls and the brown layers are the best layers but I feel really bad. They've been sleeping on the roof lately and she manages but I feel terrible. Although, that said, just a few days ago I watched May (Barred Rock) be chased and have a feather pulled and I thought she was top hen, bully, so maybe it's the Australorps? They're pecky with me too but everyone is and if I chase they remember respect. I also feel like even if I get rid of them, May would just take over as top bully cause she's just as bad to her. I definitely need to finish the coop ASAP, or, I just realized last night, maybe get some more kennel panels and expand the run NOW while we work on coop? But besides that, what can I do? Should I eliminate corners or no? Here's some more pics and vid and I'll try to get new pics of the whole run so you/anyone else can see and suggest something. I also realized I probably need boredom reducers too but I also want to try to make the run itself as safe as possible for her. I thought maybe places for her to get away but I don't know how to do that without them being able to get up there too? She is light and can fly high so maybe something a little higher? They just got a pumpkin the other day or day before and had it for 2 days. That seemed to help
 

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