Are ey too young to molt

[jasonkkelley73]

I have 6 hens and one of my Brown Leghorns is starting to loose her neck feathers. She is about 10 months old. Is she sick or molting?

 

[Flock Master64]

chickens don't molt during their first autum/winter

 

[JennaMW14]

Wouldn't think it would be molting...

 

[Flock Master64]

How long has is been happening, Is it just one chicken or more, is it losing whole feathers or are parts of the feathers falling off? If it's the second one then take your leghorn and look at the feathers and if the have a V shape on the ends then she probably got pecked by other hens. I don't think it would be mites or anything of its just the neck feathers and nowhere else.

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

Are there any parasites on her? Any other symptoms except feather loss? Is her eating and drinking normal?

It's not entirely impossible for a chicken at that age to molt. I had 3 hens at 8-9 months old molt their first fall/winter.

 

[JayColli]

I also have a 9-month old pullet that is just turning the corner on her first molt.

 

[aart]

I have 6 hens and one of my Brown Leghorns is starting to loose her neck feathers. She is about 10 months old. Is she sick or molting?

Welcome to BYC!

Tho most bird do not go thru their first full annual molt until their second fall.....
....it's not unprecedented to have a 8-12 month old bird go thru a partial or full molt in their first fall.

Checking for bugs and pecking issues is a good idea to rule those out tho.

Was she laying previously.....is she laying still?
Knowing more about your flock and their housing and diet might help.

 

[chickens really]

I just had a conversation with a guy I know.....He has a coop of this years pullets that are losing neck feathers too......It is caused from boredom/roosting.....All his Birds get along during the day...Over crowded Roosts and they peck and eat feathers......


Cheers!