Hard moult?

[Nevin]

Hi... this lovely lady lost a bunch of neck feathers and feathers on her back near her tail this Spring. She has been bald and bedraggled looking all summer, but laying and otherwise seeming to be in good health. Now we see what looks like new growth coming in? But is taking forever. Is this normal? Anyone else have a hen experience this?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Looks like feathers coming in to me

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is she? It can be common when others pick out feathers for the feathers not to grow back until a regular molt. The new feathers coming in are a good sign.

 

[Nevin]

Okay, that’s good news. She is 4 years old. We acquired her as part of a flock in March, and when we moved the flock (7 hens) to their new coop and run, their was some chicken bullying drama. We curtailed that behavior and they’ve settled in nicely, but she has just looked like a Dr Seuss character all summer!