So my beautiful Easter Egger has apparently 'decided' to molt at age 10 months. Poop is fine, crop is fine, appetite is fine, and general health is fine. Signs are dropping feathers and no egg production AND more time just hanging out in the nest box.
This is my first 'run at the chicken rodeo' but I have had other birds. I'd appreciate it if those seasoned pros among us could have a look at this list and tell me if this is accurate, or if I'm full of chicken poop! (I'm a former tech writer and am compelled to write lists, sorry!)
- MOLTING -- feathers can drop from all over the bird. There is not a lot of picking until pin feathers come in, at which time the girls may preen a bit more to loosen the new feathers. Feathers may appear to be 'sticking out' at odd angles before they fall. Molts can be light or heavy. General health is fine, but egg production is low or stops, and the hen may (or may not) be 'broody' and hang out in a nest box. Wait it out.
- PARASITES -- the hen typically scratches and plucks at the original site of the infestation, and then in different locations as the infestation grows. You may see a bald spot or two, along with more scratching, preening, and dust baths than normal as the hen tries to delouse herself. Health starts to decline, more bald spots appear, and poop may show signs of parasites. See the excellent articles on this site for info on treatment.
- ROMANTIC ROUGH HOUSING -- the hen may lose feathers over the backside and neck as her Romeo Rooster has his way with her. May have some actual abrasions or cuts, and may be a bit fearful, but otherwise in good health. Separate Romeo if he is too rough.
- PICKING -- nervous hens, or those 'under attack' by others in the flock may begin to pluck their own feathers, typically in the breast area. General health may decline, and she may be fearful. Separate the hen for a bit and then reintroduce her to the flock -- there are great articles on this site about how to do this.
This is my first 'run at the chicken rodeo' but I have had other birds. I'd appreciate it if those seasoned pros among us could have a look at this list and tell me if this is accurate, or if I'm full of chicken poop! (I'm a former tech writer and am compelled to write lists, sorry!)
- MOLTING -- feathers can drop from all over the bird. There is not a lot of picking until pin feathers come in, at which time the girls may preen a bit more to loosen the new feathers. Feathers may appear to be 'sticking out' at odd angles before they fall. Molts can be light or heavy. General health is fine, but egg production is low or stops, and the hen may (or may not) be 'broody' and hang out in a nest box. Wait it out.
- PARASITES -- the hen typically scratches and plucks at the original site of the infestation, and then in different locations as the infestation grows. You may see a bald spot or two, along with more scratching, preening, and dust baths than normal as the hen tries to delouse herself. Health starts to decline, more bald spots appear, and poop may show signs of parasites. See the excellent articles on this site for info on treatment.
- ROMANTIC ROUGH HOUSING -- the hen may lose feathers over the backside and neck as her Romeo Rooster has his way with her. May have some actual abrasions or cuts, and may be a bit fearful, but otherwise in good health. Separate Romeo if he is too rough.
- PICKING -- nervous hens, or those 'under attack' by others in the flock may begin to pluck their own feathers, typically in the breast area. General health may decline, and she may be fearful. Separate the hen for a bit and then reintroduce her to the flock -- there are great articles on this site about how to do this.
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