Help! My hen’s are losing feathers and egg production slowing

[Saintarno]

Hi Friends,
My largest hen, lowest in the pecking order, has been slowly losing her feather on the back of her head. Two of my Americanas have lost their ‘beards’. Today I noticed some bald spot on their back side and egg production has reduced to only 2 eggs/day from 5 eggs/day. I treated the ladies for mites and lice this weekend AND I used a pecking detergent on one hens head. Anyone know what’s going on?? This is my second summer with the girls. I’ll attach pics as well. Thank you!

 

[Cyprus]

They're molting, which is a perfectly natural process of shedding their old feathers to be replaced with new feathers. Like dogs shedding.

 

[Saintarno]

Thank you so much! I was worried they were sick! Is that the usual area where they lose feathers first? Also, do they all molt at different times or together?

 

[grayjay11o]

Thank you so much! I was worried they were sick! Is that the usual area where they lose feathers first? Also, do they all molt at different times or together?

There aren't any specific patters that chickens molt in, some chickens lose all their feather in a week while some can take months to molt completely. Most chickens molt in summer or fall but you might have the occasional chicken who molts during winter.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Yes, thats molting.

 

[Poultry Master1]

I agree; it is likely moulting. How old were your birds when you got them? I have a small flock of mostly Golden Comets and this is their second Summer. They started moulting about this time last year, and just started this year’s moult a couple weeks ago. Their egg production also dropped from usual (probably affected by age and moult). I was also very concerned last year when all of a sudden there were hardly any eggs and I was finding feathers everywhere. But, their eggs came back when the weather cooled a bit. We live in Tennessee and the Summers can be quite harsh. However, with mine the feather loss is more evenly distributed. They don’t get big patches. I can just see bits of white. Their feathers are golden brown at the ends but the rest is white. So I typically only see Brown. They go through theirs all at the same time. But, they are all the same breed/age. I might be a little concerned with bald patches like the head and butt where I can see skin. But, I’m definitely no expert and your breed/bird may just moult differently. There is so many factors. I would suspect it might be the result of a lack space some birds can be really mean to birds lower in the pecking order if they get an opportunity. I have had hens be pretty mean if given ANY reason.

 

[sourland]

To me it looks like a combination of feather plucking/eating and molting. If you have one bird in pristine condition, she is the culprit. Picture 5 is fairly typical of such a habit.

 

[Saintarno]

To me it looks like a combination of feather plucking/eating and molting. If you have one bird in pristine condition, she is the culprit. Picture 5 is fairly typical of such a habit.

Our two ‘top girls’ aren’t missing any feathers and they are pretty mean to the lower ones. Guessing that is happening too

 

[sourland]

Do an on site search on 'Pin Less Peepers' they can be used to stop and sometimes break this habit.

 

[FowlWitch]

They're molting, which is a perfectly natural process of shedding their old feathers to be replaced with new feathers. Like dogs shedding.

So is it normal for the skin to have little scabs when molting? Just asking so I know what to expect

Edit: just saw the post suggesting feather eating. I'll keep this in mind, thank you