Feathers

[Hopeful homesteader]

My oldest chicks are 8 weeks old and I was wondering if they molt before reaching full size? I have 6 birds in the coop/run and found 3 feathers in there but I don't think they all came from the same bird. They've started flying around the last few days and sort of crash into each other some times so I assumed that's what's knocked these feathers loose but I don't know if some feathers fall out for bigger ones to grow in or if these one's just keep getting longer as they grow? They are fully feathered but I'm not sure if I should expect anything else from here on other than growing? Do they typically molt once a year?

 

[Perris]

You are wondering correctly: at that age they are starting the juvenile molt. Those first feathers that replaced the chick fluff are now making way for adult plumage coming in.

 

[3KillerBs]

Chicks will molt several times as they grow to full size.