Early molt at 9 months old?

[hagoesch]

Hello! Most of our six laying hens who are only about 9.5 months old look to be molting. However, basically every article, book and blog post suggests that the first molt will not occur until 12 months of age at the earliest. I am hoping these tatty feathers and bare spots aren't the result of lice or mites. The close-up shot with the new pin feathers at the saddle on our Favaucana are partly due to an overzealous cockerel who favors her, but it looks molty like the others in addition to that. In my (novice) checks for tiny crawlers like mites and lice on the birds and in the coop, I have not seen any. In the meantime, I am offering more high-protein treats and continue my daily spray-down of the roosts and perching spots in the coop with citrus-infused vinegar.

So... all signs point to a rather early molt?? Thanks for the wisdom of my chicken-keeping elders!

Cheers,
Heather (and the bedraggled Pat, Muireann, Snowdrop and Murphy)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sometimes they will do a partial molt, and some will just regrow lost feathers in the fall. Partial molts usually are around the head and neck, and anywhere else feathers are missing.

It's not impossible for them to fully molt, which includes wings and tail feathers at their age.

 

[RainbowHen]

Agree with the above. They will go through lots of small molts as they grow. Won't hurt to check them over for lice and mites, however.

 

[Mrs. K]

looks like molt to me.

 

[aart]

continue my daily spray-down of the roosts and perching spots in the coop with citrus-infused vinegar.

Why?

They will go through lots of small molts as they grow.

Chickens have 2-3 molts between hatch and about 6 months old.
They can sometimes have a partial molt their first fall/winter.
First full adult molt doesn't happen until about 14-18 months old in their second fall/winter.

 

[Sally PB]

They can sometimes have a partial molt their first fall/winter.

Going through that with one 7.5 month old BA pullet. Head and neck, and she lost the "flag" on her tail. That explains the feathers in the coop and run. I hope the feathers grow back fast while we're having an abnormally warm spell here in MI.

 

[hagoesch]

Sometimes they will do a partial molt, and some will just regrow lost feathers in the fall. Partial molts usually are around the head and neck, and anywhere else feathers are missing.

It's not impossible for them to fully molt, which includes wings and tail feathers at their age.

Thanks again for your help, Lisa! I didn't realize that the partial molts tended to occur in those areas -- which is exactly where our hens are looking ragged. Cheers!

 

[hagoesch]

Agree with the above. They will go through lots of small molts as they grow. Won't hurt to check them over for lice and mites, however.

Thanks! Checked everyone and seems to be clear. Must be an early, partial molt! Cheers, Heather

 

[hagoesch]

Why?

Chickens have 2-3 molts between hatch and about 6 months old.
They can sometimes have a partial molt their first fall/winter.
First full adult molt doesn't happen until about 14-18 months old in their second fall/winter.

Thanks, Aart. This is their first winter as adults, so it definitely fits that this would be a partial molt given the losses near the head/neck and saddle areas. As for the citrus-vinegar (and water) spray, it's a simple antibacterial preventative measure that also helps keep the flies and other bugs away. No harm, can't hurt.

And I'd be remiss for not offering thanks for coop inspiration. We recently had a pole barn addition put onto the back of our detached garage, in which we would build our permanent coop. I took several ideas from your design in dreaming ours up. It is roughly 5 ft wide x 16 ft long, built into a corner of the barn. Chickens seem to enjoy it, as do we... so, thank you for sharing yours!