Isa Brown losing down feathers

[candyspiegel]

My favorite chicken, 2-year-old Isa Brown, is losing her down feathers all along her breastbone. She still has the outer feathers, but if they get moved at all, she is completely bare. She seems healthy and is still laying. Does anyone know what may be causing this and what I can do to fix it before winter returns?

 

[Eggcessive]

Has she gone through a molt yet? This usually occurs around 18 months and yearly thereafter. Broody hens will pull out feathers of the chest and abdomen to sit on their eggs, but I have some ISA's and they don't go broody.

 

[candyspiegel]

Thank you ... she's not gone broody. She has never molted. I hope that is what is happening. I was really worried.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a good article on molting: http://www.grit.com/animals/molting-what-is-it--how-to-help-chickens-get-through-it.aspx