Late February Molt?

[Relleoms]

Can chickens molt this time of year? I have one pullet (she turns one in two days, so almost a hen!) that has laid all winter but is slowing down & losing a ton of downy feathers, mostly in her chest. The weather has been up & down-lots of snow, mostly cold but a few days above freezing-so they’ve been confined to the coop & run (12 in 6x8 coop, 20x10 run), are fed flock raiser feed with occasional scrambled egg or mealworm treats. The only thing that has changed recently is 7 girls have come back into lay after their winter break. There are no signs of parasites (mites or lice) but I did spray her with elector psp just in case. I also totally cleaned out the coop & replaced all bedding about 6 weeks ago. Her behavior is good, she’s eating, drinking & pooping properly & doesn’t seem broody. All this to say, if it were October, I’d be certain she’s molting. But it’s February & so I’m asking you all for affirmation or advice!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

All this to say, if it were October, I’d be certain she’s molting. But it’s February & so I’m asking you all for affirmation or advice!

The more birds I keep... the more I things I see... and realize that life is complex!

I have definitely seen many birds molt when they technically should not be. It sounds like you have things pretty well covered.

So, in MY experience... yes, she may be molting at an odd time.

Any way to verify if she is still laying? Do you also happen to see any pin feathers coming in? Pics always welcome.

 

[Relleoms]

The more birds I keep... the more I things I see... and realize that life is complex!

I have definitely seen many birds molt when they technically should not be. It sounds like you have things pretty well covered.

So, in MY experience... yes, she may be molting at an odd time.

Any way to verify if she is still laying? Do you also happen to see any pin feathers coming in? Pics always welcome.

I don’t think she has laid in about 10 days. Generally she’s a few days on, a day off, so it is out of character. Her neck is full of pin feathers, but she’s an EE and they pick wet feed out of each other’s beards. It does seem like there are a few pin feathers on her chest, but not nearly as many as are falling out! And they’re almost all downy feathers, not the ones with the stiff center. I’ll try to get some photos, but thank you for your reply!

 

[Helloworld]

She is fixing to go broody if not already. All those feathers she has to remove to be able to keep eggs warmer and also she will wet chest to keep humidity correct for eggs.

 

[Relleoms]

She is fixing to go broody if not already. All those feathers she has to remove to be able to keep eggs warmer and also she will wet chest to keep humidity correct for eggs.

How long do you suppose until she goes broody? I haven’t seen her in a nesting box for at least a week. She seems totally uninterested.

 

[Relleoms]

These are pictures of the pile of feathers she left when I brought her in the house to inspect, as well as one of her neck from this past week. I’ll try to get some close ups of her neck & chest when I put them in tonight.

 

[Relleoms]

I struggled to get decent photos this evening, but here are a few of Violet.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

How long do you suppose until she goes broody? I haven’t seen her in a nesting box for at least a week. She seems totally uninterested.

She isn't going broody or she would be staying in the nest box. Some of my hens pluck feathers to add to the nest when broody, but most (of mine) do not. And not one of my hens wets their chests... though that's one clever way many birds will use to help control humidity.

Not laying IS a classic symptom/side effect of molting. All the energy will be going to regrowing feathers. It looks like molt to me and the symptoms fit. She is still pretty, lol!

 

[aart]

Looks like a partial molt to me.
My EE's often peck each others face feathers off....
...it's crazy, they just stand there and have a snack.

 

[Relleoms]

Looks like a partial molt to me.
My EE's often peck each others face feathers off....
...it's crazy, they just stand there and have a snack.

I know, it drives me mad! They were looking so good after this fall’s molt, now they’re back to “grooming” each other