I agree that it is a natural thing that happens for chickens, but if they were left to their own devices, roaming free in the wild, they would natually seek more protein in their diets and be less active. They also stop laying during that time as well because all of their resources are going...
Are you sure they are molting? Read this article and see if any of these are a possibility. I am not the author of that website but the person who is has a wealth of information about chickens.
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2012/09/feather-loss.html
Molting does stress your chickens. They don't like to be picked up or touched much because when the feathers are growing back it hurts.
Here are some links for some excellent information about what you can feed your chickens to help them during their molting season...
This is Raven, my 23 week old GLW, and her 1st egg that she layed 2 days ago! She has layed 2 eggs since. Go Raven! Now I wish my other 9 girls would start to lay.
I doubt very much that it is a repiratory disease. Their coop, which is a 12x12 foot horse stall, has excellent ventilation, plus I clean it out daily. They are rarely in the coop anyway, except to grab a bite to eat of their organic layer pellets. The rest of the day is spent outdoors...
I have a 20 week old EE who suddenly has a swollen eye, noticed yesterday. All of my hens free range in a fenced in one acre pasture, which they cannot get out of. Yesterday afternoon I found Tilly by herself, which is not uncommon for her as she is somewhat of a loner, although she does stay...
Thank you! I think Welsummers are very beautiful. This is the first time owning any so I'm eager to get their eggs, which won't be until the fall. I have one other Welsummer plus 6 EE and 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes. I should have a colorful egg basket
I got my 2 girls through My Pet Chicken, which is a hatchery: http://www.mypetchicken.com/ You can also get them at Meyer Hatchery: https://www.meyerhatchery.com
You can always buy some hatching eggs so she can hatch some or go here for some ideas of how to break her broodiness: http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2012/01/so-youve-got-broody-hen.html
Good luck!!