A few questions on hens moulting?

[frickenchicken1]

Im not 100% sure if my hen is moulting, she hasn't been laying for at least 3 weeks? I 've seen quite a lot of feathers around the coop (more than usual). a week ago i saw her flap her wings and a few feathers came out... she's only around 10months old.. is that a normal age for a moult? I don't even know if she is moulting i'm guessing she is? she hasnt been laying as well and I read that thats normal for a moult? what do you think. is she in moult or is she sick? thank you so much in advance for any advice!

 

[eggbert420]

That's normal.

 

[aart]

Im not 100% sure if my hen is moulting, she hasn't been laying for at least 3 weeks? I 've seen quite a lot of feathers around the coop (more than usual). a week ago i saw her flap her wings and a few feathers came out... she's only around 10months old.. is that a normal age for a moult? I don't even know if she is moulting i'm guessing she is? she hasnt been laying as well and I read that thats normal for a moult? what do you think. is she in moult or is she sick? thank you so much in advance for any advice!

Sure sounds like a molt.

Thanks for adding your location in your profile,
let's us know it's fall there with the shortening days,
it's not unusual for a 10 month old to be molting.

Look for new pin feathers coming in and that will seal the deal.

 

[frickenchicken1]

Hi, thank you for the reply!
Yes, it's winter here in melbourne, but melbourne weather is crazy so its hot some days, and then really cold on others. This probably sounds like a stupid question, but these are pin feathers right? hahah sorry, this is my first time having chickens . Have you ever had any hens started there first moult at 10 months? do yo think it could possibly be some sort of sickness? sorry for all of the questions hahaha. Thankyou so much for the help

 

[aart]

Hi, thank you for the reply!
Yes, it's winter here in melbourne, but melbourne weather is crazy so its hot some days, and then really cold on others. This probably sounds like a stupid question, but these are pin feathers right? hahah sorry, this is my first time having chickens . Have you ever had any hens started there first moult at 10 months? do yo think it could possibly be some sort of sickness? sorry for all of the questions hahaha. Thankyou so much for the help

Nope those are old feathers that I assume fell out of bird.
Pin feathers are new feathers growing in.
I googled 'chicken pin feather images' for you https://www.google.com/search?q=pin...310&bih=698#tbm=isch&q=chicken+pin+feathers&*

No, they are not sick.
Chickens go thru several juvenile molts before 6 months old, then have a full adult molt around 18 months old usually in the fall.
BUT it's not that unusual for younger birds to have a partial or full molt before 18 months.
I had several 9-10 month olds go thru a full and partial molts this last winter.

 

[miss maple]

Hi Frickenchicken1,

I'm in Kinglake, so not far from you, and my chickens are moulting too. Some are going through a juvenile moult and the others are going through a soft moult - they're looking pretty scruffy but no bald patches like you would see in a hard moult. Seems like there are feathers everywhere though!

I was told at a stockfeeds that it was far too early for a moult and might have mites or lice. I gave them a round of internal/external wormer because I'm paranoid and they were probably due for one anyways and aren't showing any signs of parasites. They're perfectly happy and healthy, it's just time for a moult so they have new feathers in time for winter. Sometimes you just need to take opinions with a grain of salt. They didn't know how old/breeds of my chooks so I don't blame them, but you want your flock to be happy and healthy so you worry about them.

It takes a lot of protein to go into growing new feathers so you won't get any eggs until they're ready, but you can help them along with some high protein treats. I sprinkle in sunflower seeds and ground beef/ bone meal in their veggie treat bowl and they go crazy for it. I've also increased their feed from a 16% protein to 19% because I wasn't sure if the extra fruit and veg they were getting was diluting the protein content. Give them some time and you'll have some good looking chickens again, I'll be waiting along with you hehe