molting birds

[redstarbill]

I swear 3 of my chickens have been molting for 8 months now. they are the ugliest looking things. it looks like feather shoots are coming in but they never fill in. what gives? all the other chickens are fine. do you think these three might be suseptable to feather picking? I never see any aggression, and other than there uglyness and lack of feather they are fine.

 

[Judy]

Never heard of an 8 month molt. The main causes of feather picking are too little space, boredom, and protein deficiency.

Follow this link then scroll down to links to some threads on the subject:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1198

Mites/lice is another possibility -- use Sevin dust or permethrin dust/spray from the feed store or garden center. Adams flea and tick spray also works.