First Year Molt?

[thecatumbrella]

My flock was born March 24th of this year, and one of my pullets has started to molt. I was under the impression that juvenile molts stopped around 4-5 months and that they wouldn't have a "true" molt until next year. She's literally blowing coat at 23 weeks-old. Picture of health otherwise and very active.

Couple factors that may be related.
- She was broody broken about 10 days ago.
- She's been sleeping in my basement for about 2 weeks (long story) and loses about 1 hour of daylight in the morning and 1 in the evening compared to her flockmates.

Any idea why this is happening?

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Oohhh, a mystery . I'm just here to see what other, more knowledgeable people think. Also "blowing coat" had me cackling .



My guess is that it's likely a combo of all the things you listed a.k.a. stress...

 

[RubelliteRose]

First year molt is uncommon, but can happen. I had 2 of my first 8 girls molt before their first winter. I was also very confused when I opened the coop to find it covered in feathers one morning! They are both now 5 years old and still healthy, so it is just a thing that a few chickens do