I have 7 hens that started laying in September. I put a timer and light in the coop to keep them laying through the winter. Now their feathers are showing a lot of the softer, fluffier underfeathers and a couple of the hens have lost a lot of feathers on their backs near the tail. No roosters.
They don't seem unhealthy. They are active, interested in feed and social. The Rhodies are off on egg production somewhat now but the Wyandotte and the Golden Sexlinks are going strong. I'm feeding layer pellets with some table scraps and whole grain scratch for treats.
Are they trying to molt?
Notice the bare back on both hens in the one picture and the mottled look of the feathers on breast, light under feathers on thighs and sparse feathers on back of neck on the Rhodie.
Suggestions?
They don't seem unhealthy. They are active, interested in feed and social. The Rhodies are off on egg production somewhat now but the Wyandotte and the Golden Sexlinks are going strong. I'm feeding layer pellets with some table scraps and whole grain scratch for treats.
Are they trying to molt?
Notice the bare back on both hens in the one picture and the mottled look of the feathers on breast, light under feathers on thighs and sparse feathers on back of neck on the Rhodie.
Suggestions?
