Is this molt?

[lukkyseven]

So this girl just molted her neck feathers a month ago. None of my other birds are in molt and there's no sign of mites.

I'm thinking she is being bullied. There is a slight sign of distress in her breathing when I was holding her, but nothing that sounds like respiratory problems.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That looks like plucking and pecking from other birds. Especially since I see a few wounds.

 

[lukkyseven]

That looks like plucking and pecking from other birds. Especially since I see a few wounds.

Thats what I was afraid of. This means the feathers won't grow back until she goes into molt correct?

I sadly don't have an easy way to quarantine her right now

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If the feathers are fully pulled out they may grow back. I'd be careful as it can turn into cannibalism quickly with chickens. Hopefully you can figure out how and why she's being plucked. Generally it's from crowding, confinement, or a protein deficiency. Being plucked on the chest makes me think it's happening on the roosts. What type of roosts do you have?

 

[lukkyseven]

If the feathers are fully pulled out they may grow back. I'd be careful as it can turn into cannibalism quickly with chickens. Hopefully you can figure out how and why she's being plucked. Generally it's from crowding, confinement, or a protein deficiency. Being plucked on the chest makes me think it's happening on the roosts. What type of roosts do you have?

I have 2 parallel 2x4 roosts. How long would you estimate it would take for the feathers to grow back?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have 2 parallel 2x4 roosts. How long would you estimate it would take for the feathers to grow back?

Feathers can take around 3-6 weeks generally to grow back in during a molt, so I would expect the same if they are plucked. It can depend on the bird and the diet.