Is this normal is she molting or is she being bullied

[user712746]

This is penny my golden wyandotte pullet she is 6 months old and she has started looking like this near the start of her tail on her lower back

 

[thecatumbrella]

It's unlikely she's molting at only 6 months old, but not unheard of (as I just learned!). It could be from over-mating? I'd check around the naked skin and vent for mice/lice, but it's possible she just needs a chicken saddle. You can see the feathers are already trying to regrow.

Observing the flock for a while can hopefully give you your answer as well.

 

[user712746]

It's unlikely she's molting at only 6 months old, but not unheard of (as I just learned!). It could be from over-mating? I'd check around the naked skin and vent for mice/lice, but it's possible she just needs a chicken saddle. You can see the feathers are already trying to regrow.

Observing the flock for a while can hopefully give you your answer as well.

it is near fall also our rooster looks like hes molting around the same area he has a bunch of fuzzys showing and hes the same breed as penny

 

[thecatumbrella]

it is near fall also our rooster looks like hes molting around the same area he has a bunch of fuzzys showing and hes the same breed as penny

Same age too? Whereabouts are you located? Are the days getting shorter where you are?

 

[user712746]

Same age too? Whereabouts are you located? Are the days getting shorter where you are?

we are located in iowa

 

[user712746]

if it is overmating it would make sense bc they are really lovey dovey but we are getting 6 bantams in april and 4 standards in feb bantams will be cochin and standards not sure yet

 

[BigBlueHen53]

A saddle or apron might be a good idea. I think @Eggcessive or @azygous might have a pattern so you can make your own.

 

[user712746]

A saddle or apron might be a good idea. I think @Eggcessive or @azygous might have a pattern so you can make your own.

but yea penny is his favorite but they are so cute it like a little chicken couple

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You need to separate them or protect her with an apron or she could end up really sore. If her skin gets red and broken the other chickens could peck at her, which could even lead to cannibalism. Nothing cute about that.

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

It looks like feather picking to me, especially since it’s both the rooster and a hen showing signs of it. Is Penny the lowest on the pecking order? How much space do they have in the coop and run? They’re probably bored and trying to entertain themselves