Hens are losing lots of feathers mainly rail feathers, what could be causing this?

[rIrs roost]

Oh, And welcome to Byc

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Mare I can't remember mine going through a molt until the year after I had them. Did I just forget about it or Does some not molt that soon? @chickernewbie you're in great hands with Mare. She's one of the best.

It's not like a big molt, it's more feathers here and there, usually noted by a seemingly alarming amount of feathers in the coop or run and the changes of the patterns (like speckled Sussex who start out looking VERY disappointing in their first set of feathers to those beautiful speckles by 12+ weeks)

 

[junebuggena]

Juvenile molt. Juveniles replace their feathers several time before they are fully mature. How else would they stay covered in feathers if they kept the same ones that finished growing in at 6 weeks of age? Those wouldn't cover much on a 5 month old bird now would they. It's gradual molting, not like the full, annual molts of mature adults.

 

[chickernewbie]

Thank you everyone for the information and responses greatly appreciated. I was afraid maybe I had an aggressive girl attacking the others.