Is this what molting looks like?

[MelodyC]

I had thought at first they were picking on her, but a friend said that she is molting. I have two that are doing this, the other one isn't as bare in the back though. Will she lose all her feathers??

 

[MelodyC]

Also, should I switch the whole flock to the meat food while these two are molting? Will the others start molting as well since two are molting? Sorry, I'm new at all this.

 

[alyssaallycat]

I'm hoping others will chime in here, but I know that chickens will molt when it is a different season, under stress, or because of parasites. I would switch all of my chickens to a high protein diet, but still keep out the regular feed if you feel it necessary. If your chickens are molting for seasonal reasons, then all of the will molt and grow new, shiny feathers that look better than before! They will look a little patchy for a couple of days or weeks, and they may stop laying for the molt, but they usually only do this once a year, and their feathers will be better than ever when they are done molting!

 

[alyssaallycat]

Also, those stubs in the back are new feathers. They are pretty tender and I don't recommend picking up the chicken for a couple of days. If a feather stub breaks, it will bleed heavily if broken, so just be careful.

 

[MelodyC]

If they molt because of stress, that's probably it then. They were uprooted from their nice coop and put into a temporary funky home for a couple weeks while we finished getting their coop together. They are loving being back in their kennel and free ranging during the day, as we have already gotten 6 eggs since they moved back in there.

 

[alyssaallycat]

Either way, your chicken will be perfectly fine during molt.
P.S your chicken that was in the picture is beautiful!

 

[chickenychicken]

Yes she is molting! to help her grow strong feathers and lay more eggs during her molt you can get the purina molting chicken food, which has more protein.

I give it to my hens during molts and it helps.

 

[MelodyC]

Thanks! We have to make a run for food this weekend (it's an hour away), so I'll get some of that to give them for a while.