Molting? need advice :)

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Julie1977

Julie1977

In the Brooder
5 Years
Jan 29, 2014
66
1
41
Northern California
Hi, I am quite new to this chicken thing and I am not sure if I have a problem or maybe just molting? My question is what part of their little bodies start first..... I have a couple of hens that are looking very raggedy and seem to be losing fluffy butt feathers. Are they maybe at the beginning of a molt or is there something more serious happening? Thanks so much !!!!
 
They are probably molting, it's that time of year. They do tend to start looking raggedy all over, you may see bare patches on the shoulders and neck with new pin feathers coming in. One of my birds that molted heavily this fall also had a bare butt briefly. But any bare spots you should also see the new pin feathers coming in.
 
Hi, and thank you so much or your response. One of them does have a red hinnie that does look a but sore with pin feathers and has quit laying as well is this a normal molt too? the redness? Thank you
 
You might want to dust for mites if you see red, inflammed or irritated skin. You can check them over carefully but mites can be hard to see. Also go into the coop at night with a flashlight, check and see if you see any mites on the roost. They come out to feed after dark. If you decide to dust them be sure to do a repeat in 7 to 10 days since it won't kill any mite eggs so you'll want to go back and dust again to get any more that hatch. Dust or spray the coop as well and repeat that in 7-10 days also.
 
Hi, I keep them pretty clean but I will check tonite when they go to sleep. And also she is starting to get a little bald spot on the top of her head I think she might be one of the roosters favorite girls. I have 17 hens and 1 rooster. Could the problem be to much rooster attention? Thank you Cafarmgirl :)
 
Roosters can be a little rough with the girls especially around their combs. With the feather loss around the back of their heads, that's a sure sign that another hen or rooster has done that.

Depending on the breed, I find the can molt a little differently. Most say its from the neck down, but that's not always the same for every chooky. If you see quills in their bald spots, then the feathers will make a return. The hens will preen alot more than usual, pulling out feathers that are loosening.
 

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