Is this molting?

[redwa]

Our 15 month old Australorp has lost the feathers on her head. Otherwise very healthy and no signs of mites. is this the beginning of her molt? Will she lose all of her feathers? I have not been through this before - not sure what to expect. From what I have learned, different breeds molt differently. Yes?

 

[silkiechicken]

If she is only losing feathers on her head, it might be pecking, when they molt they lose feathers all over their body.

 

[Pine Grove]

most all chickens are moulting or starting to moult this time of year..

 

[redwa]

Could it be mites or external parasites? What is the cure?

 

[Pine Grove]

does she have new feathers comming or has she been pecked?

 

[redwa]

My daughter and I just inspected her further. Looks like a few of her feathers have a mini blob of what my daughter says looks like ear wax attached to the end of the new feather. Suspicious. Also, i think her egg had a blood spot (the white) in it this morning - indication of parasites??. How to proceed?

 

[Pine Grove]

It's normal shes just moulting, and the blood spot is not caused from worms, i'ts caused from a rupture in a blood vessel within the reproductive track. Nothing to worry about, your hen is normal