Extreme molt or something else?

[CrouseJ]

one hen about two years old is bald in strange areas, no visible mites, blood or bullying going on. She’s the only chicken out of 10 that look like she’s going through something. She walks oddly like crouched down at times too

 

[sourland]

To me the massive amount of growing pin/blood feathers indicates that she is in a full blown molt.

 

[nuthatched]

full blown molt.

Like this?

 

[CrouseJ]

To me the massive amount of growing pin/blood feathers indicates that she is in a full blown molt.

Thank you

 

[CrouseJ]

View attachment 4253680
Like this?

Thank you

 

[alinas2010]

Welcome to BYC! Yes, I agree with others. She appears to be in a bit of a hard molt. The pin feathers are very sensitive. Sometimes they can come in in crevices between legs and wings and rub against other parts making the chicken stand or walk funny. They just don’t feel great in general during a hard molt, especially, so the crouching could be bc of that, also.

Be sure she’s getting some extra protein to help all those feathers grow in okay. Maybe a treat of scrambled eggs or tuna once in a while, or just a higher protein feed can be good.

You might also check out the molting contest; if anything it will make you feel better about her molt!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/official-byc-contest—post-your-best-worst-chicken-molt-pictures-2025.1675964/