Is my Hen Molting?

[mikele86]

Hello,

I recently (2 weeks ago) picked up a couple hens and introduced them into my coop. This is my first time raising chickens. They are both younger birds, from what I was told. One is a beautiful Easter Egger and the other is a Cucko Maran. The EE has been laying eggs almost on the daily but the CM hasn't laid an egg yet. I have noticed since getting them that the CM has been shedding feathers, mainly around the tail area. A couple of feathers a day. I wasn't concerned and thought this maybe normal. I did more research on molting and understand its much more common during late summer, early fall so I am thrown off since it's beginning of spring. Maybe the environment change triggered the molting process? I don't think this is a parasite issue since the other bird has not been affected. Any ideas? Thanks in advanced!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi welcome to BYC!

Sometimes birds don't get the memo about when they *should* molt. So it could be molting.

Can ya post a pic, using the button that looks like a mountain and sun up top of the editor?

A molting hen will most often not be laying eggs and should be showing some pin feathers.

 

[mikele86]

Hi welcome to BYC!

Sometimes birds don't get the memo about when they *should* molt. So it could be molting.

Can ya post a pic, using the button that looks like a mountain and sun up top of the editor?

A molting hen will most often not be laying eggs and should be showing some pin feathers.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

That pic isn't very easy for me to zoom in on the detail.. But I think I do see some pin feathers on the head and neck that would indicate molting.

That bird is NOT a cuckoo Marans, as she isn't cuckoo at all... that would be black and white like these...

 

[CindyinSD]

Are you sure no one is picking on your new girl? If you add new hens to your flock, the “old girls” will often haze them... sometimes severely.

 

[mikele86]

That pic isn't very easy for me to zoom in on the detail.. But I think I do see some pin feathers on the head and neck that would indicate molting.

That bird is NOT a cuckoo Marans, as she isn't cuckoo at all... that would be black and white like these...
View attachment 1733121

Oh wow.... thoughts on the breed?

 

[mikele86]

Are you sure no one is picking on your new girl? If you add new hens to your flock, the “old girls” will often haze them... sometimes severely.

I only have 2 birds but I have seen the EE push this one around ontop of the roost

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Oh wow.... thoughts on the breed?

Well, the tail I see int he pic doesn't look typical EE color... a better pic of both and I will try to come up with ideas for you. Is your EE laying blue eggs?

 

[mikele86]

Well, the tail I see int he pic doesn't look typical EE color... a better pic of both and I will try to come up with ideas for you. Is your EE laying blue eggs?

Yes, I've been getting a blue egg daily now.

 

[mikele86]

Well, the tail I see int he pic doesn't look typical EE color... a better pic of both and I will try to come up with ideas for you. Is your EE laying blue eggs?