Help...hen is losing feathers...

[Brooklinechicks]

Hi. My daughter's favorite hen, an 18 month old Brahma, is losing feathers at an alarming rate from her rump area. The other three hens (all different breeds) aren't losing any. She also, the hen, not by daughter, made a very strange colored poop yesterday. She seems fine, we don't seem to be getting fewer eggs. Any thoughts? Are these things unrelated? I really want to avoid a trip to a vet. Thanks so much.

 

[chickensioux]

This is the time of year when alot of poultry "molt". They lose their feathers, either alot or alittle, and it is very normal. Egg laying slows way down or stops during a molt. Egg laying also has to do with hours of daylight so this also changes this time of year.
As for poop here is a website that will help you see normals and abnormal poops.
http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0
Hope this helps

P.S. I have 25 hens and some are molting while others are not.