Is She Moulting? Or Sick?

[sarastamand]

Newish chicken momma here - I've noticed my girl, Yellow Legs, is looking a little scruffy around the neck the past couple of days. Of course, she's the only one who won't let me catch her! Tonight I finally checked her while putting them to bed. I wasn't entirely sure if she was looking funny because it has been so wet here the past few days, but it hasn't been wet since last night, so she still looks funny to me.

She was born in February. Is it too early for her to molt or is that something dictated by the "weather"? I somewhat thought it had to do with age, so that's why I feel she is early. I can post pics if that helps. She basically looks like she has been running in the rain. When I pull her feathers back they look very dry and I mostly see the "pin" part of the feathers. Her body somewhat also shows this however, not as severe. I have never treated my birds for anything - worms, mites, etc. (Is this something I should do to preventative my birds, like my dog?!)

We are located in New Hampshire. Starting to get cold around here. Average daytime temps. probably are around 40-50. Nighttime so far has been as low as 20-30.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hey Sara she can be on her first molt then just wont be as harsh, she may not lay in that time

 

[sarastamand]

Hey Sara she can be on her first molt then just wont be as harsh, she may not lay in that time

I've only been having 3-4 girls lay on average (I can only tell of 1 that is consistent). I'm PRETTY SURE she has not been laying any eggs for the past month or so, but I'm not entirely positive. She is a Welsummer so I can usually tell her eggs apart from the rest. However, she sometimes lays with spots on the egg and sometimes without. I know their egg patterns don't typically change, so I don't understand that, but she is my only girl that would lay eggs of that nature. As far as I am aware anyway lol, so that's why I feel I can generally tell her eggs apart.

 

[pennyJo1960]

others take winters off go ahead post a photo please

 

[RoosterML]

Sounds like she is molting to me. I have one who was born this spring and her neck feathers look thin/funny.
If you separate her feathers do your see new ones coming in?

 

[sarastamand]

I think so but not entirely sure... how do I tell? There’s some that look “broken”, are those new ones sprouting instead? She looks like shit basically lol, in the “I partied too hard” way!! Haha

 

[pennyJo1960]

possibly she is getting picked on please post photos

 

[Clairenh]

Try this: https://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/blogs/learning-centre/help-hens-moulting-season

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm sure it is molt. A bird hatched early in the year may likely molt at this time of year.
You may want to read up on it. It may look like someone had a pillow fight in the coop and run. They can't/won't lay eggs during a molt.

 

[aart]

When I pull her feathers back they look very dry and I mostly see the "pin" part of the feathers.

Yep, that's probably new feathers growing in...unless they are broken off rather than pointy and plump. Google 'chicken pin feathers' to see pics.

I'm sure it is molt. A bird hatched early in the year may likely molt at this time of year.

Same here.
Have had several young birds do a partial molt their first fall.
First one was a Wellie at 9 months old.