Is this normal for molting or going broody???

[OutdoorFun4]

Our BO has been hanging out in the nest box lately. We figured she has gone broody. When my daughter checked for eggs yesterday she noticed that the normally proud hen had lost most of the feather from her breast area. The hen is not low on the pecking order and seems fine otherwise.

Is this normal for a molt or going broody?

 

[elmo]

I think that might be her "brood patch."

http://www.stanford.edu/group/stanfordbirds/text/essays/Brood_Patches.html

 

[CMV]

Elmo is right. She has plucked herself to line her nest.

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

She's just showing that she's serious about brooding. Get her some fertile eggs! (If you want chicks, that is.

)

 

[Mtn Cur]

Why don't mine do that before I want to eat them?

Would make my job much easier!