Can a molt last 9 months?!?

[Otis Jackson]

I got a BCM hen from a breeder last October that was around 18 months old. She was in the middle of molting and missing a ton of feathers, color, etc. Since then she has filled most of her feathers back, and resumed laying semi-regularly but for the last month or so she’s missing feathers around her neck (see pic) and has stopped laying completely. When I got her in October the breeder said she was almost done molting, but it’s May and either it’s still going on or something else is wrong. Otherwise acts completely normal and rest of the flock is healthy free-range birds.

Can a molt last 9 months??

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Some can go through a mini neck molt in spring. It's not a full body molt like what is seen in the fall.

 

[Otis Jackson]

Interesting, thanks!

 

[aart]

Are there new pin feathers coming in?

 

[Otis Jackson]

Are there new pin feathers coming in?

Yes there are