Is my polish chicken molting?

[Jacobt]

My polish hens is 8 months and overnight has changed drastically. It is losing feathers rapidly. Here are photos. Is this molting?

 

[cavemanrich]

When my chickens molted, it was gradual. A big change overnite seems like it could possibly be a parasite, like mites, lice, or whatever else might attack chickens. It is also possible that other chickens plucked out her feathers. Check her body if there are any parasites still there. I'm sure they didn't run away if they are the reason. WISHING YOU THE BEST.

 

[Jacobt]

...

When my chickens molted,  it was gradual.     A big change overnite seems like it could  possibly be a parasite,  like mites,  lice, or whatever  else might attack  chickens.  It is also possible that other chickens plucked out her feathers.  Check her body if there are any  parasites still there.   I'm sure they didn't run away if they are the reason.   WISHING YOU THE BEST. 

 
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When polish chickens molt do they lose their head feathers? The feathers on the underside of the body are also missing.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Looks like feather picking. With molting, you see pin feathers, like this:

 

[Jacobt]

Oh okay. Thank you. Do parasites take out the entire feather or just the ends like molting.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Oh okay. Thank you. Do parasites take out the entire feather or just the ends like molting.

Parasites won't remove any feather. The bird and/or the other birds will pick at them to get at the bugs and cause them to come out.

Look for lice around the vent. Feather picking is caused by boredom or overcrowding.