Battling hens!

[ChickNanny13]

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you. So now my question is why is Roopecca molting if he is only 12 months old?

And, once I know whether it's molt or plucking is there something I should do for her? I assume I do nothing for molting.

Well, there's not a lot you can do if they are molting, except make sure they are eating well
I have no idea why he's molting at 12months or why she may be molting at 41 weeks. Genetics, time of year/day light all come into play.

If she is being plucked....more space in the coop may help and see that all of them are eating their normal feed for the majority of their diet.

 

[aart]

I have no idea why he's molting at 12months or why she may be molting at 41 weeks. Genetics, time of year/day light all come into play.

I have had 9-12 month old birds do a partial molt their first fall/winter.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have had 9-12 month old birds do a partial molt their first fall/winter.

Like I say, it's not that uncommon

 

[aart]

Like I say, it's not that uncommon

Sorry, I did not get that impression...so threw in my experience

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Was just answering her last question

Didn't think I had to mention that it wasn't that unusual more than once
Yep, I've had partial molters too, but "normally" I see it around that 16-18mo mark.

Thank you. So now my question is why is Roopecca molting if he is only 12 months old?

Sorry, I did not get that impression...so threw in my experience

 

[aart]

Didn't think I had to mention that it wasn't that unusual more than once

Well, I may have missed that...or forgot ...sorry.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I have had 9-12 month old birds do a partial molt their first fall/winter.

Was just answering her last question

Didn't think I had to mention that it wasn't that unusual more than once
Yep, I've had partial molters too, but "normally" I see it around that 16-18mo mark.

My question, is this what I've heard called a "Jr Molt"?
I've never kept pullets past a year so haven't really been through a "serious" molt. I have had pullets loose feathers around 6 months which I thought was "jr molt" (feathers galore in the coop). So now guessing it's the weather here ... maybe.

 

[New2Chicks97]

Good Luck! I have grouchy molting EE girls at the moment & they keep fighting with each other just like yours are doing. Luckily for me our new rooster is a good little peace keeper and he chases them apart. He doesn’t put up with any of that nonsense even from the top girl.

 

[aart]

My question, is this what I've heard called a "Jr Molt"?
I've never kept pullets past a year so haven't really been through a "serious" molt. I have had pullets loose feathers around 6 months which I thought was "jr molt" (feathers galore in the coop). So now guessing it's the weather here ... maybe.

They have 2-3 juvenile molts before about 6 months of age...then may have a partial molt their first fall/winter..then at around 18 months will have their first full adult molt during their second fall/winter, and every fall/winter after that.