Is this what molting like?

[Kaesi2020]

Hi all! Here are some photos I took of my EE hen. She is a year and a half old. A week or so ago she started losing feathers. Now, all of her big tail feathers have fallen out. When she shakes, feathers go flying. She looks very scruffy. When free ranging, she stays to herself which is odd behavior for her. She does have a fungal problem on her comb which I am treating her for as a side note but I'm assuming it is not related to the feather loss? Does this look and sound like a molt? I haven't experienced this with our hens yet. Thank you!

 

[Meri Maura]

Hi all! Here are some photos I took of my EE hen. She is a year and a half old. A week or so ago she started losing feathers. Now, all of her big tail feathers have fallen out. When she shakes, feathers go flying. She looks very scruffy. When free ranging, she stays to herself which is odd behavior for her. She does have a fungal problem on her comb which I am treating her for as a side note but I'm assuming it is not related to the feather loss? Does this look and sound like a molt? I haven't experienced this with our hens yet. Thank you!

Looks like a molt to me. The behavior may be because shedding and regrowing feathers is stressful. I've read that sunflower seeds are good for molting chickend.

 

[cherrynberry]

Hi all! Here are some photos I took of my EE hen. She is a year and a half old. A week or so ago she started losing feathers. Now, all of her big tail feathers have fallen out. When she shakes, feathers go flying. She looks very scruffy. When free ranging, she stays to herself which is odd behavior for her. She does have a fungal problem on her comb which I am treating her for as a side note but I'm assuming it is not related to the feather loss? Does this look and sound like a molt? I haven't experienced this with our hens yet. Thank you!

Looks like a molt, but it does not hurt to check for mites/lice.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

It sounds and looks like a molt. They will keep to themselves as it is also a bit painful due to the pin feathers coming in. If you check closely you should see pin feathers. Feeding some extra protein as well as BOSS is said to help with the molt.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Definitely looks like a molting bird and if you try to handle her she'll probably protest or run away, so try to keep any handling to a minimum.

She looks a little like my EE Custard, who is a hot mess when she molts:

 

[Kaesi2020]

It sounds and looks like a molt. They will keep to themselves as it is also a bit painful due to the pin feathers coming in. If you check closely you should see pin feathers. Feeding some extra protein as well as BOSS is said to help with the molt.

I can see and feel the pin feathers!

 

[Kaesi2020]

Definitely looks like a molting bird and if you try to handle her she'll probably protest or run away, so try to keep any handling to a minimum.

She looks a little like my EE Custard, who is a hot mess when she molts:
View attachment 2843362

Oh they look very much alike!

My other four have not begun molting yet but maybe soon?

Thank you

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Custard reminds me of this meme

 

[SuzetteWV]

Definitely looks like a molting bird and if you try to handle her she'll probably protest or run away, so try to keep any handling to a minimum.

She looks a little like my EE Custard, who is a hot mess when she molts:
View attachment 2843362

Omg.. that poor girl. Mine is looking almost as bad. Why are some worse than others?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Agree, looks like a hard molt. Keep treating your fungal infection, since your bird will be more susceptible to skin conditions while all those pin feathers are coming in, and you should do a routine mite check, beacuase it should be part of your routine. But looks like a hard molt to me - and the bird knows its not in top shape, which is why its keeping its distance from potential predators and flock mates who might pick on it as the weakest link. Takes a lot of energy, bird will likely be not lethargic, but less active than the norm.

Increased protein can help speed/ease the process, but be aware that BOSS is also very high fat. Don't go to excess. Though considerably more expensive, mealworms are preferable to BOSS in this case - similar protein, better trace minerals, roughly half to 3/5th the fat content. Or simply feed a 20% protein ration - or add some high protein complete ration (like a game bird grower) to your existing feed ration, and mix to the disered final protein figure (this is what I do). You have options, and plenty of support here on BYC to help you thru this.

The bird? Mostly its on its own, but you can ease the stress of it some.