Hard molt or something else?

[Frazzled chicken tender]

I have been finding what looks like explosions of feathers in the coop in the morning. Some hens have lost some but not bald. But a couple of my hens have lost a bunch of feathers. The first one seems to be growing them back. The latest hen looks like she lost a bunch literally overnight. Is this normal for molting? Attaching a pic. She is a Buckeye. Thank you

 

[21hens-incharge]

Oh dear! She certainly is molting hard. Yes it looks like a normal hard molt to me.

Some extra protein during molt often helps speed the regrowth. Many use canned fish (I myself use mackerel). I haven't give cat food but many do as it is very high in protein.

Offering a 20% protein feed like all flock or chick starter is another option.

 

[DLA]

There are new feathers coming in and the skin doesn't look red or irritated. Looks like normal molting to me.

 

[Sally PB]

Thank you! I can get canned salmon or tuna or mackerel as soon as I get back home tomorrow

These are great, just be sure to check the salt content.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

Oh dear! She certainly is molting hard. Yes it looks like a normal hard molt to me.

Some extra protein during molt often helps speed the regrowth. Many use canned fish (I myself use mackerel). I haven't give cat food but many do as it is very high in protein.

Offering a 20% protein feed like all flock or chick starter is another option.

Thank you! I can get canned salmon or tuna or mackerel as soon as I get back home tomorrow. I had been giving them mealworms and some scrambled eggs, but with 20 hens each just gets a small bit. I'll give her extra!

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

Thank you. I wondered if she might be walking sideways because she is uncomfortable

That is what all my hens do - don’t worry about her. I heard sunflower seeds and crackled corn treats might help give her some extra vitamin to help her feathers grow in faster.

 

[AntiqueB]

She might be. The pin feathers can be painful when touched.

I have one girl who usually loves to be held, but squawks unhappily if I pick her up during molt.

 

[WingsysRoost]

Thank you. I wondered if she might be walking sideways because she is uncomfortable

She definitely could be. I've had birds look and act very ill when going through a molt like this, including not wanting to move much because they felt so uncomfortable. I haven't personally had a bird walk sideways during a molt. I could definitely see that happening, though. The new feathers really don't feel nice for them when they are coming in.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

She definitely could be. I've had birds look and act very ill when going through a molt like this, including not wanting to move much because they felt so uncomfortable. I haven't personally had a bird walk sideways during a molt. I could definitely see that happening, though. The new feathers really don't feel nice for them when they are coming in.

Thank you! I wanted to pick her up and bring her inside, because some of the hens have started picking on her, but i thought it might be uncomfortable. I did separate her while she ate some scrambled eggs.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

She might be. The pin feathers can be painful when touched.

I have one girl who usually loves to be held, but squawks unhappily if I pick her up during molt.

Thank you, she is friendly but scared to be picked up normally and I figured she is probably uncomfortable, so i fed her and made sure she was safely in the coop for the night, then left them alone.