is this molting?? something else?? I need help please...

[SuburbanSue]

My Black Australorp, who is just over a year old, has been losing feathers....no biggie. Yesterday I went out and the back of her neck has no feathers, just new ones coming out. Her behavior is weird, sitting on the floor in the coop instead of on the perch, being alone, and I just noticed her comb looks spotty white. there is also like a white looking dust on her that wipes off when I wipe. this is my first time with chickens and I'm worried. Not sure if its molting or something else.

 

[nurse_turtle]

Just molting. Looks a bit homely though doesn't she.

 

[lsg1007]

Likely just molting. Molting hens usually do not lay. As you may have noticed before, your hens had a pale comb prior to laying and as their hormone levels changed, their combs reddened and they began laying. So as hormone levels change again, the comb becomes more pale. If you are really concerned about what is going on with her comb, you might post a pic of the area of concern

 

[Baylen]

Regarding the dust, not sure if its the same, but I had a parrot for a while and when her new feathers came in, the sheath the new feathers were cased in would break open and it created a tremendous amount of dust.