Predator orchickens fleeseing them selves ??

[rgearhead]

Hi all i have 4 chickens and live a little out side Chicago, starting to get chilly here with highs of 50s..and the other mourning when i went out to my chickens I see a lot of my black astrolorp feathers stunned about the chicken run... i only have 1 black chicken the rest are tan in brown...

So first thought was something got in and attacked her, but after going over the entire run and looking for digging i cant see any possible way something got in, soo puzzled...

did she pluck some her self ?? did the other chickens do it?? is it something the sudden cold drop is driving ??

thanks for any input...

 

[Eggsoteric]

How old is she? Any chance she could be molting?

 

[savnnah07]

It is probably just a molt, mine are starting to molt this time of year. They usually molt for the first time around 18 months, then once a year after that. Nothing to worry about

 

[rgearhead]

she is a little over 2 years now....thanks

 

[rgearhead]

ok, I got scared when i saw how many feathers were stunned about, so molt = growing new feathers ??

thanks....

 

[Nambroth]

ok, I got scared when i saw how many feathers were stunned about, so molt = growing new feathers ??

thanks....

Yes! I mean, do check her over for injury to be sure, but sometimes chickens practically explode when they molt! My run looks as if someone took several down pillows out there and shot them out of a cannon right now...
Check out this thread! https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-worst-chicken-molt-pictures-fall-winter-2013