Is My Chicken Molting or Sick or Both??

[Lady Lara]

Hi! This is my first post here.
Background: We have six hens. They started laying eggs about six months ago. Three are White Orpingtons and three are Black Sex-Links. We live in FL and winter is short, almost non-existent, but right now the nights are very cold. They have an enclosed coop, a large penned-in area, and we let them free-range as much as possible. One Orpington (Maggie) got beat up pretty bad when they first started laying eggs. Her top comb was partially severed. We were able to heal it, and there doesn't seem to be much fighting at all anymore. They are all well-mannered, as far as we can see, anyway!
Today Maggie, who is quite light (weight-wise) in contrast to her "sisters", is showing what I believe to be molting signs. They are all shedding feathers, but she shows a more baldish, black "tubes" look. I have never seen chickens molt before, but I did a Google pic search, and articles about molting showed up. That's how I found this site!
Here's a pic and a closer look. They are constantly digging in the dirt, so maybe that explains the black shafts?? I apologize if any terminology is incorrect. I'm a first-time chicken mom. I just want to know if it's normal or if I should be concerned, or take her to a vet, or any/all of the above!?!! Thank you! - Lara

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Yes she is molting and those look perfectly normal. Those are called “pin feathers” which are new feathers that still have the sheath on them. Eventually the feathers will grow out to regular feathers and the sheath will be preened off.

 

[Lady Lara]

Yes she is molting and those look perfectly normal. Those are called “pin feathers” which are new feathers that still have the sheath on them. Eventually the feathers will grow out to regular feathers and the sheath will be preened off.

That's a huge relief! I just noticed that one of the Black Sex-Links (Michonne) has similar stuff going on on the side of her neck... glad to know it's just nature doing its thing!