Do chickens shed their "winter coat"?

[artsvarc]

I have a Laced Wyandotte that I can't tell if her feathers are getting picked because of bullying or is she shedding/ molting after the Iowa winter. Her down is so thick underneath. I've seen her pick there, as well as others while they are just laying around. I have a cokoo maran that is similar in the same spot but not as bad. Input? No roosters*

 

[Gallinarium]

I have a Laced Wyandotte that I can't tell if her feathers are getting picked because of bullying or is she shedding/ molting after the Iowa winter. Her down is so thick underneath. I've seen her pick there, as well as others while they are just laying around. I have a cokoo maran that is similar in the same spot but not as bad. Input?

Those are from roosters treading too hard it looks like. Do you have any roosters? What's your rooster-to-hen ratio?

 

[artsvarc]

Those are from roosters treading too hard it looks like. Do you have any roosters? What's your rooster-to-hen ratio?

I just came back to add...I don't have a rooster.

 

[Ahad Ansari]

I have a Laced Wyandotte that I can't tell if her feathers are getting picked because of bullying or is she shedding/ molting after the Iowa winter. Her down is so thick underneath. I've seen her pick there, as well as others while they are just laying around. I have a cokoo maran that is similar in the same spot but not as bad. Input?

Same problems with my hens, 3 of them have same issue with them,

 

[MountainWoman73]

The feathers look broken from rubbing against something, or possibly singed? I had a pullet once who climbed up on the top of my baby chick cage, squeezed between the cage top and the heat lamp and singed off some of her feathers.

Any chance it's something like that? Or do they have a spot they're squeezing under a fence or through a small space and rubbing those feathers repeatedly?

 

[artsvarc]

The feathers look broken from rubbing against something, or possibly singed? I had a pullet once who climbed up on the top of my baby chick cage, squeezed between the cage top and the heat lamp and singed off some of her feathers.

Any chance it's something like that? Or do they have a spot they're squeezing under a fence or through a small space and rubbing those feathers repeatedly?

Unfortunately none of those. The only thing remotely close for her to rub on would be the nesting box. I'm going to look closer and see if they are indeed broken.

 

[aart]

Do chickens shed their "winter coat"?​

....is she shedding/ molting after the Iowa winter.

No and No.

She may just have weak feathering and/or is being picked on.
How old is she, in months?

 

[My2butterflies]

Are they free ranged or locked in a run?
Is it possible there is a male making regular visits from a neighbor?

 

[artsvarc]

No and No.

She may just have weak feathering and/or is being picked on.
How old is she, in months?

One year.

 

[artsvarc]

Are they free ranged or locked in a run?
Is it possible there is a male making regular visits from a neighbor?

They have a run. No free range.