Barred Rock is missing tail feathers

[lovemyladies6]

Hi. I noticed the other day that one of my Barred Rock ladies is missing tail feathers. I’m pretty sure she hasn’t been pecked at. There isn’t any skin showing. I don’t see any signs of mites or parasites and seem healthy. Eating and drinking fine. She is about 30 weeks old. Could she be molting? I didn’t think they molted until they were over a year old. Am I just being paranoid?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Hi. I noticed the other day that one of my Barred Rock ladies is missing tail feathers. I’m pretty sure she hasn’t been pecked at. There isn’t any skin showing. I don’t see any signs of mites or parasites and seem healthy. Eating and drinking fine. She is about 30 weeks old. Could she be molting? I didn’t think they molted until they were over a year old. Am I just being paranoid?

If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, it is absolutely the time to be molting, although you're right, they don't usually do a full molt in their first winter. But chickens love to break all the rules, I'm finding.

Do you see a clump of feathers under where she roosts? If so, I'd guess - and this is COMPLETELY a guess - that it's a sign of molting.

If you think any of your flock might be going through molt, be sure that they have adequate protein support in their feed, as growing new feathers is a protein-demanding task. Many people use a 20% or higher feed during this time, if not year-round. I know that Kalmbach has a feed for feather support, although I've not used it (yet.) I'm an admitted Kalmbach fan girl, but I'm sure that other manufacturers have something similar. Alternatively, you can supplement your regular feed with additional protein, especially animal protein like sardines (yuck) or ground beef (many other options including mealworms, soldier beetles, etc., although they're also a bit fatty.)

https://www.kalmbachfeeds.com/produ...Rnltbz4-J2lqWudu1ig-_97WMv0RPOSusKqeQOPa9bk2h

Edit to add: this particular ^^ product is meant for layers, with a 3.5-4.5% calcium content. So if you have roos or other non-layers, you'll want to look for a similar product without high levels of Ca.

 

[lagrange chicks]

My B.Rocks are in full molt but are 2.5 years old, I call them bear bottom girls. A couple of these molted there 1st fall.

 

[lovemyladies6]

If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, it is absolutely the time to be molting, although you're right, they don't usually do a full molt in their first winter. But chickens love to break all the rules, I'm finding.

Do you see a clump of feathers under where she roosts? If so, I'd guess - and this is COMPLETELY a guess - that it's a sign of molting.

If you think any of your flock might be going through molt, be sure that they have adequate protein support in their feed, as growing new feathers is a protein-demanding task. Many people use a 20% or higher feed during this time, if not year-round. I know that Kalmbach has a feed for feather support, although I've not used it (yet.) I'm an admitted Kalmbach fan girl, but I'm sure that other manufacturers have something similar. Alternatively, you can supplement your regular feed with additional protein, especially animal protein like sardines (yuck) or ground beef (many other options including mealworms, soldier beetles, etc., although they're also a bit fatty.)

https://www.kalmbachfeeds.com/produ...Rnltbz4-J2lqWudu1ig-_97WMv0RPOSusKqeQOPa9bk2h

Edit to add: this particular ^^ product is meant for layers, with a 3.5-4.5% calcium content. So if you have roos or other non-layers, you'll want to look for a similar product without high levels of Ca.

There are feathers under where she roosts. Maybe she is molting. None of the others are. Their feed is 20% protein. Thank you!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

There are feathers under where she roosts. Maybe she is molting. None of the others are. Their feed is 20% protein. Thank you!

Good luck! Poor babies, whenever I grump about how much hair is in the drain filter after I shower, I remember what birds have to go through.