Sounds stupid I know, but I recently adopted an 18-month old RIR that is going through a hard molt. She's nearly bald, but has laid 3 or 4 eggs in the week that I've had her. I'd much rather she worked on growing feathers right now! She looks so pathetic, the eggs can wait! She is being allowed to free-range in the house because a.) all my chickies are spoiled, and b.) it is so cold outside most of the day. She lays her eggs in a plastic tub at the foot of my bed. As much fun as it is to have an indoor chicken, she needs to go out to the coop ASAP.
Does the fact that she is laying mean the feather loss isn't a molt? If it's not that, then what is it?
Does the fact that she is laying mean the feather loss isn't a molt? If it's not that, then what is it?