Feather sheaths on all my chickens feathers??

[lavender pepper]

I noticed my maran was looking a little weird today. Upon inspection it seems like she has keratin sheaths at the base of all her feathers but her neck is the worst. Is this a growing thing or is something wrong?

 

[ChickyCh00k]

How old is she? Looks like normal molting to me.

 

[lavender pepper]

She is about 7-8 months. I wasn’t sure where their first molt would be.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

She is about 7-8 months. I wasn’t sure where their first molt would be.

Oh, that's a bit early for a molt (many birds don't molt their first year), but probably not unheard of. Is she acting ok? Eating and drinking?

Edited to add: It could also be feather picking (that usually leaves bald spots, though). Is she low in the pecking order?

 

[lavender pepper]

She’s acting fine, just looks a little strange lol. She doesn’t seem to have bald spots, only the sheaths poking out. I wouldn’t say she’s low on the pecking order. I just integrated some new chicks so she’s somewhere in the middle maybe.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

She’s acting fine, just looks a little strange lol. She doesn’t seem to have bald spots, only the sheaths poking out. I wouldn’t say she’s low on the pecking order. I just integrated some new chicks so she’s somewhere in the middle maybe.

My guess is that she's had some type of molt earlier than might be expected, but if she's acting ok and doesn't seem like she's being bullied, I wouldn't worry. Is she laying eggs?

 

[coach723]

It's considered 'normal' for birds to do their first annual molt around 18 months of age. But THEY don't read the instructions, and the range of 'normal' is huge. They molt when their bodies say to. Some molt their first year, or may do a partial molt. Some birds, even older ones may occasionally miss a molt, or do a very light one. And some are total feather explosions leaving them practically bald for a period. All of those things can be completely normal. So your girl is molting. As long as everything else is normal, no worries.
More on molting here:
https://www.wideopenspaces.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-molting-chickens/