Chicken lost all tail feathers

[andreagran7]

One of my 2 chickens has lost all her tail feathers quite suddenly, the other is fine. I live in Western Australia so we are just into autumn and I know my ducks get new feathers this time of year, is this the same or should I worry?

 

[azygous]

Some chickens can molt very suddenly and lose a lot of feathers all at once. If her tail feathers are any indication, she may be looking pretty threadbare as she proceeds.

 

[andreagran7]

Some chickens can molt very suddenly and lose a lot of feathers all at once. If her tail feathers are any indication, she may be looking pretty threadbare as she proceeds.

Hi Azgous,
so you think it’s normal and nothing to worry about? She seems ok otherwise.

 

[azygous]

Look in the area of missing feathers. Do you see a uniform field of emerging pin feathers? That will confirm whether this is molt or not. Feather loss from something other than molt will be bald and smooth.

Molt can sometimes sap the energy reserves of a chicken, so if you have verified molt but you see her start acting lethargic and she is losing weight, you will need to step in with assisted nutrition. I feed canned mackerel once a week to my chickens during molt. Chickens that have poor appetites during molt get fed extra more often until they pep up.

 

[andreagran7]

Look in the area of missing feathers. Do you see a uniform field of emerging pin feathers? That will confirm whether this is molt or not. Feather loss from something other than molt will be bald and smooth.

Molt can sometimes sap the energy reserves of a chicken, so if you have verified molt but you see her start acting lethargic and she is losing weight, you will need to step in with assisted nutrition. I feed canned mackerel once a week to my chickens during molt. Chickens that have poor appetites during molt get fed extra more often until they pep up.

yes it looks like there are feathers to come though, so it must be molt. Thank you I will keep an eye on her.