Can Marans molt before ever laying?

[ArianDolympia]

I was looking to get more chickens for my flock and came across an Ad about the Marans . The seller said they are not pretty because they are molting. I asked how old they are and if they had laid eggs prior to this molting period . The seller said they are 14-16 weeks old and coming into laying. Is this possible? I've never have Marans before so I don't know if it's true or not. I dont want to buy older hens.What are your experiences? Please tell! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[nuthatched]

They cold be molting their teeneager feathers? Kinda odd.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Maybe they are being bullied and plucked and the seller doesn’t want to tell the truth?

 

[LaFleche]

Every chicken will go through several juvenile molts and so do the pullets until POL.

But pure Marans are rather late bloomers where egg laying is concerned, so at 14 weeks old they would still be far from POL.

Maybe post some pictures of the birds in question?

 

[ArianDolympia]

I'm gonna ask now.