Is this chicken sick?

[Mortis]

I have a flock of 10 RIR hens, all the same age 7 months. They have been healthy and happy all summer long, and laying 8-9 eggs per day.

Recently I noticed 1 hen that has white feather tips sticking out around her face and the top of her head. Her skin is a little pale around her eyes and beak, although her comb is still red. She is acting normally, but she is definitely getting worse in appearance by the day.

Is this perhaps the beginning of a molt? I thought 7 months is too early for a hen to molt. Or could this be a sickness? I can try to get a picture if that would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

A photo would be very helpful!

 

[bantamluv]

Sounds like she's just molting, but I agree with @ChattyChickens4Life , a photo would be helpful in this sort of situation.

 

[pineapple416]

I am guessing that it is just molting but really need a picture to confirm if you could get one.

 

[Sydnee Fisher]

Agreed

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

It could also be a juvenile molt. These molts aren't full force like adult molts, but they still cause the bird to lose feathers. Her feathers could also be getting picked out. It's hard to know without a photo.

 

[Mortis]

Here are a few photos I just took of her. As you can see, it is only on her face/head, not anywhere on her body. And she is still acting completely normal. Thanks to all for your advice.

 

[pineapple416]

She looks very healthy to me so there shouldn't be anything to worry about. Cute hen!

 

[bantamluv]

Yes, that's completely normal. Those white things you see would be the protective casings on the new, growing feathers. She's a gorgeous hen. Good luck with her!

 

[sourland]

She's molting. Those are the feather sheaths on the pin feathers starting to slough off now that the feathers are maturing. Interesting lacing on some of the feathers beneath her wattles.