9 Mo old Buff Orpington loosing feathers

[luisrosa411]

Hi all. My 9 mo Buff Orpington is loosing feathers. Almost like prematurely molting. My understanding is that would be -18 mo usually.

- Lots of pin feathers
- I’ve separated her from the rest of the flock
- Vent looks normal
- Not as energetic as usual kinda staying by herself but does come out of the coop in the morning
- has been going on for about a week
- Suspect she laid a brittle thin shelled egg i found
- Does not appear egg bound
- Not eating much
- Drinking very little
- Crop not very full, but feels normal
- Given probiotics and electrolytes in water
- No apparent breathing problems
- No mites
- Poop looks normal, though less frequent.
- Put two eggs in front of her, but not apparently broody
- Her sister Buff, same age looks fine
- She is preening herself.

Overall she does not look sick, kinda more like “depressed“ and not herself.

Any ideas what this is, and what I could do? What would cause her to loose feathers prematurely?

 

[sourland]

She appears to be in good health. Many birds have an early/off season molt. As long as all else is normal, I would not worry. I'd add some protein to her diet.

 

[luisrosa411]

She appears to be in good health. Many birds have an early/off season molt. As long as all else is normal, I would not worry. I'd add some protein to her diet.

Thank you!

 

[luisrosa411]

She appears to be in good health. Many birds have an early/off season molt. As long as all else is normal, I would not worry. I'd add some protein to her diet.

Been feeding her tuna fish

 

[Eggcessive]

There is no reason to keep her away from her flock if she is molting. It can be difficult to reintegrate them back if she is out too long.

 

[luisrosa411]

She appears to be in good health. Many birds have an early/off season molt. As long as all else is normal, I would not worry. I'd add some protein to her diet.

Hi there. I let her outside with her sister she still is more to hersel.

But I wanted to note an observation that I failed to mention. About every 10 minute, she elevates herself and flexes her wings. Never did that before. Not like a flapping. But kinda like if we stretched by raising out arms above our heads. Ever see that?