Chicken turning white

[eBird]

My sweet, adventurous Mille fleur, Scout went through a her first molt a month ago and is now timid and mostly white (she was mostly caramel color prior to the molt) !? She also has bad dander and a pale comb. I have given her some coconut oil, which she (and the other chickens) loves.

I am not sure if these signs are indicative of something more serious?

Thank you for any insights!
Erin

 

[henny1129]

Do you have any pics of her?

 

[azygous]

Everything you describe fits with a hen going through molt. Feathers do change color as they age,fading, darkening with soil and grime, and new feathers coming in will appear much brighter and have more contrast. Also there is a prodigious amount of dander that gets shed as molt progresses. Pale, dry comb is also very normal. As her hormones resume, her comb will become large again and red and moist.

It's also completely normal for chickens in molt to be subdued and cranky, and a little lethargic. They also fuss when you try to handle them because feathers growing in hurt when touched. She will resume her cheerful personality once molt is complete which may take a bit longer even though it may look as if she's done.

 

[henny1129]

Everything you describe fits with a hen going through molt. Feathers do change color as they age,fading, darkening with soil and grime, and new feathers coming in will appear much brighter and have more contrast. Also there is a prodigious amount of dander that gets shed as molt progresses. Pale, dry comb is also very normal. As her hormones resume, her comb will become large again and red and moist.

It's also completely normal for chickens in molt to be subdued and cranky, and a little lethargic. They also fuss when you try to handle them because feathers growing in hurt when touched. She will resume her cheerful personality once molt is complete which may take a bit longer even though it may look as if she's done.

I was thinking it was just a normal molt as well, but wanted to see a pic just in case.

 

[eBird]

Thank you @henny1129 and @azygous ! I will post a photo tomorrow