Is Ruby moulting?

[Sandra Verbreyt]

Hello,
My Cochin Ruby is no longer broody but she is losing a lot of feathers.
Is it normal for chickens to moult?
She is active and eating and drinking and seems perfectly healthy apart from her feather loss. She does not have any bald patches.
Thanks for any advice

 

[azygous]

It's not too early for chickens to begin molt in the northern hemisphere. As soon as the days begin to shorten once we pass solstice, the hormones can be triggered at any time to begin molt.

Being broody could also have affected her hormone balance. Whether this is Molt or just a mini-molt will be determined by how long this process goes on. Look for patches of uniformly emerging pin feathers on the back of the neck and on the saddle area. If you see those, it's likely more than a small mini-molt.