Hard molt or something else?

[Frazzled chicken tender]

I have been finding what looks like explosions of feathers in the coop in the morning. Some hens have lost some but not bald. But a couple of my hens have lost a bunch of feathers. The first one seems to be growing them back. The latest hen looks like she lost a bunch literally overnight. Is this normal for molting? Attaching a pic. She is a Buckeye. Thank you

 

[21hens-incharge]

Oh dear! She certainly is molting hard. Yes it looks like a normal hard molt to me.

Some extra protein during molt often helps speed the regrowth. Many use canned fish (I myself use mackerel). I haven't give cat food but many do as it is very high in protein.

Offering a 20% protein feed like all flock or chick starter is another option.

 

[DLA]

There are new feathers coming in and the skin doesn't look red or irritated. Looks like normal molting to me.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

Oh dear! She certainly is molting hard. Yes it looks like a normal hard molt to me.

Some extra protein during molt often helps speed the regrowth. Many use canned fish (I myself use mackerel). I haven't give cat food but many do as it is very high in protein.

Offering a 20% protein feed like all flock or chick starter is another option.

Thank you! I can get canned salmon or tuna or mackerel as soon as I get back home tomorrow. I had been giving them mealworms and some scrambled eggs, but with 20 hens each just gets a small bit. I'll give her extra!

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

There are new feathers coming in and the skin doesn't look red or irritated. Looks like normal molting to me.

Thank you, good to hear!

 

[Sally PB]

Thank you! I can get canned salmon or tuna or mackerel as soon as I get back home tomorrow

These are great, just be sure to check the salt content.

 

[Frazzled chicken tender]

These are great, just be sure to check the salt content.

What is too high for chickens? I was just going to get regular cans, but i can look for low salt versions.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I give canned mackerel. Yes there's some salt but I only offer it once a week to my regular molters. Heavy molting birds get it 2-3 times a week for about a month.

In all my decades doing so I haven't seen ill effects.

I think Tuna has no added salt. Dry cat food should be low in salt too.

 

[TooCheep]

Wow. A very hard molt. You should add it as an entry in the contest.

Post Your Best (Worst) Chicken Molt Pictures - 2023

 

[WingsysRoost]

She is definitely going through a hard molt. It really does seem to happen overnight sometimes.

I usually mash some hardboiled eggs to give to my flock of twelve a few times per week when I have some going through a hard molt. I also offer chick starter, mealworms, and black oil sunflower seeds. I rotate what gets offered depending on the day.

The canned fish is definitely a good idea and will help boost their protein levels.