Extreme feather loss in winter troubleshooting

[farthingfarm]

Hello!

I have a Buff Orpington hen, 1 yr 4 mo, who is having extreme feather loss. I am trying to troubleshoot - I can't decide if it's the most extreme moult I've ever seen or something else (red lice?). One of the hens, I assumed this one, decided to go broody at the end of November and I had guessed she then decided to do a moult to get those feathers back but it's just getting worse and worse. I'm starting to feel paranoid that the pin feathers aren't putting out...feathers and that something has gone wrong. She has been generally fine but as the temperature has gone down she's started seeming thinner (I've been supplementing her with extra protein) and just peaked.
We're using easy pick micro shavings on the coop floor with straw over the top.
Attaching a picture of her current state. It's insane to me how naked she is.
Thanks for any help, this forum has always been a lifesaver.

 

[AshVau22]

Looks like molting to me. You can see the new feathers growing in. I have a cinnamon queen who is finally growing hers back she's my last one to molt. Last year my neighbors Barred Rock had a very very hard molt middle of February. She was completely naked with only a few feathers on her neck and legs. Poor thing.

 

[farthingfarm]

Looks like molting to me. You can see the new feathers growing in. I have a cinnamon queen who is finally growing hers back she's my last one to molt. Last year my neighbors Barred Rock had a very very hard molt middle of February. She was completely naked with only a few feathers on her neck and legs. Poor thing.

Oh gosh that makes me feel better, thanks. I've had chickens for a long time but I've never seen a moult like this.

 

[Eggcessive]

It does look like a molt. She is at the right age. Sometimes they can be very dramatic. Here is a good thread with pictures of feather shafts growing in:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/molting-what-is-it-and-how-to-help/

 

[nuthatched]

Chickens live on spite.
I've never had them molt when you'd assume it would be a good time.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a thread about bad molts:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...est-worst-chicken-molt-pictures-2025.1675964/