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Are my chickens molting in the winter? Help!,

Discussion in 'Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures' started by lhbisbee, Jan 9, 2015.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jan 9, 2015 #1
    lhbisbee

    lhbisbee In the Brooder

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    Jan 8, 2014
    Leicester, Vermont
    I be been sick and unable to go out to coop. When I went out this evening with my husband, I found two of my hens Losing feathers and looking awful. There are no bugs or moving things in them, but their feathers have a kind of white dust-like substance all over them. I really need help because there are too many diseases to read through to find what I'm lookimg for. I hope someone here can help. I didn't think they molted in the winter. We live in Vermont and it's been below zero the last couple days. What is this? Hopefully, these pictures wil help. It's Rose, a RIR, and Debbie, a Black Austrolorp.[​IMG]
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  2. Jan 9, 2015 #2
    cityfarmer12

    cityfarmer12 Songster

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    Oct 18, 2014
    Missouri
    looks like molting to me. They do molt in the winter...i also have about 5 hens all molting right now. :)
     
  3. Jan 9, 2015 #3
    islandgirl82

    islandgirl82 Songster

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    Jul 4, 2014
    Maine
    Yes, they can and do molt when the temperatures drop. You can see the pins of their new feathers growing in. Give them some scrambled eggs, black oil sunflower seeds and other high protein foods to help give them the boost the need.
     
  4. Jan 9, 2015 #4
    Eggcessive

    Eggcessive Free Ranging Premium Member 7 Years

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    Apr 3, 2011
    southern Ohio
    Chickens molt usually around the age of 16-18 months and then yearly thereafter. That is why most people try to hatch eggs in early spring, so they molt in late summer or early fall. I had a banty hen who molted at a strange time in February nce, and later found out that since she had gone broody and had chicks in January, that she probably became stressed. Here is a link or 3 about molting:
    http://www.grit.com/animals/molting-what-is-it--how-to-help-chickens-get-through-it.aspx
    http://www.nutrenaworld.com/knowledge-center/poultry/the-molting-process/index.jsp
    http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html
     

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