Feather eater, molting or other?!

[theGoodMama]

Name that ailment...

I have a buff orpington who I just noticed is losing her feathers around her neck. A quick search reveals that I might have a feather eater--- but have not seen anyone near her (maybe happening overnight). Her pin feathers appear to be intact and just the yellow is gone. No sign of pests?

On the right track?

 

[sourland]

Looks like a normal heavy molt to me.

 

[WindingRoad]

Name that ailment...

I have a buff orpington who I just noticed is losing her feathers around her neck. A quick search reveals that I might have a feather eater--- but have not seen anyone near her (maybe happening overnight). Her pin feathers appear to be intact and just the yellow is gone. No sign of pests?

On the right track?

How old? Laying eggs? Several of my birds molted that way and are now just getting feathers back. Can you please put your state or country in your profile. Where you live tells us a little bit about your climate.

 

[theGoodMama]

How old? Laying eggs? Several of my birds molted that way and are now just getting feathers back. Can you please put your state or country in your profile. Where you live tells us a little bit about your climate.

She is 7-8 months old, laying regularly, located in PNW (Oregon).

It has finally switched to fall and definitely on the darker and drab time of the year.

First fall.

No one else is impacted. She is also the only one that has gone broody.

 

[WindingRoad]

She is 7-8 months old, laying regularly, located in PNW (Oregon).

It has finally switched to fall and definitely on the darker and drab time of the year.

First fall.

No one else is impacted. She is also the only one that has gone broody.

I've had chickens since summer of 18. 2 chickens and 2 pullets. Last year I got 9 pullets. This is first year I have had molting. Pullets are now chickens. But my first 4 have just molted this year. My 2 oldest one's very minor but my 2 SLW moderate to heavy molt. For abut a month now. But they had that area around the neck just like your's. One of my BR and one RIR lost tail feathers last fall before I got them. BR is just now growing in tail feathers from heavy molt this year. Never got them back last year. 2 RIR's lost a lot. And my five WLH are just now molting. But mostly belly feathers. Looks like a fox raid in my coop. So each bird is different. good luck. this is all natural although maybe a little unusual for pullets. Although my BR and one RIR did it as pullets.

 

[RoosterWhisperer]

Name that ailment...

I have a buff orpington who I just noticed is losing her feathers around her neck. A quick search reveals that I might have a feather eater--- but have not seen anyone near her (maybe happening overnight). Her pin feathers appear to be intact and just the yellow is gone. No sign of pests?

On the right track?

Is there a rooster in with your ladies?
He might be the culprit, and if she's a heavy layer she might just need some extra calcium, cause their feathers and eggs take a LOT of calcium.

 

[theGoodMama]

Is there a rooster in with your ladies?
He might be the culprit, and if she's a heavy layer she might just need some extra calcium, cause their feathers and eggs take a LOT of calcium.

No rooster!

 

[The Happster]

I wouldn't worry.
She has some nice fresh feathers coming back in.