Hen herding others

[Matzwd]

I’m confused. What symptoms did your pullet that died have and why did the vet prescribe antibiotics? Have you checked for mites and lice. I do think she is too young to be molting.

Here's the thread about Lacey: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/purple-comb-yellow-slimy-poo.1281316/
Different symptoms, but I spoke with the vet today, and he told me she could actually be molting but that since she is acting under the weather, possibly heat seeking and sleeping a lot, we could go ahead and give the septra as it is their go-to bird antibiotic, just in case she has an infection.

She is losing quite a few feathers. I do see some new growth, I believe. Can someone confirm? This would be my first molting chicken. I think these black things in the short shafts are new feathers, correct? This particular pic is on her breast, but there are also some under her wings.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Hi Matzwd,
The photos are not clear enough to see, but what you are describing is molt. Under wing regrowth especially is the most common place to look for sprouting to confirm molting, and you can find it on any other body part. However, this would first occur around 1 1/2 years old so its strange. This chicken is only 7 months old right?

 

[Matzwd]

Hi Matzwd,
The photos are not clear enough to see, but what you are describing is molt. Under wing regrowth especially is the most common place to look for sprouting to confirm molting, and you can find it on any other body part. However, this would first occur around 1 1/2 years old so its strange. This chicken is only 7 months old right?

I'll try to get better pics today. She wasn't cooperating well with new rummaging through her feathers. Yes, she is seven months old. She hasn't lost all of her feathers, but enough to know something is up. Is this the right age for juvenile molt?

Also, is it common for others to peck a molting flock mate? I'm not sure if this happened because she was acting weird or if it's because of a change in flock dynamics. Lacey, the one who passed was the bottom of the pecking order. Now it will likely be Honey Dijon. The guilty girl is a polish who falls in the middle.

 

[lilmillefleur]

I have hens that would stick their heads under each other’s crop/breast on the roost.
I think they were nervous because we moved them into the new coop that night.

 

[aart]

She hasn't lost all of her feathers, but enough to know something is up. Is this the right age for juvenile molt?

Sometimes birds that age(8-11mo) will do a partial molt their first fall/winter.
might be more likely to happen if bird is not in optimal health.

 

[Matzwd]

Here's a better pic.