Buff Orpington hen without full head feathers?

[billiejw89]

I have 13 BO hens, we brought them home as chicks last April. I'd say less than half started laying before winter hit, then they cut back. Now, they are starting production again, I get about 8-9 eggs a day now.

I was out feeding and I noticed one of the girls looks a little strange. Like the feathers on her head and neck aren't full. She looks like a pin head lol. Is this normal, or is there and issue here?


This is a normal looking hen.



This...is the strange one.

 

[XxMingirlxX]

She looks like she may be moulting, it's unusual at this time of year but possible, how old is she?

 

[billiejw89]

She is 10 months

 

[XxMingirlxX]

Do you have any problems with pests such as mites?
What is her position in the pecking order - could she be being bullied?

 

[billiejw89]

Do you have any problems with pests such as mites?
What is her position in the pecking order - could she be being bullied?

No mites that I know of. I will give everyone a good look though. I might as well dust them to be sure.

I don't really notice anyone getting picked on too much, it doesn't look like she has damage anywhere. Just a very sleek head/neck area. She seems to be feeling ok. This is the only one that looks like that.

 

[XxMingirlxX]

How cold is it where you are?
Sometimes a sudden change in temp can trigger a moult.

 

[billiejw89]

How cold is it where you are?
Sometimes a sudden change in temp can trigger a moult.

I'd say it's averaging 39 here. We had a couple of warm days 45-49

 

[XxMingirlxX]

Do you use artificial lighting?

 

[billiejw89]

Do you use artificial lighting?

no

 

[XxMingirlxX]

I'm guessing she is just moulting at an unusual time! Silly chook!