Major vs Minor Molt

[KKane61]

What is the difference between a major and minor molt? I have 2 hens that look a bit bedraggled and have lost some feathers on their head and neck.

How do I know if this is a molt or mites? I am new to chickens and trying to provide the best care I can!

 

[Kelsie2290]

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/217/moulting-a-natural-process/ nice article on molting. Usually major / minor just refers to how many feathers they are losing ... Good egg layers usually do a major molt where they loose a lot of their feathers at one time, the less productive birds tend to take longer to molt and only lose a few feathers at a time, sometimes if the birds have been stressed or ill etc they may do an odd molt to some degree..
Since mites are so tiny, the easiest way I have found to see mites is to use a magnifying glass and check the birds and roosts over carefully, and be sure to check at night also since some mites live on the roosts and only come out at night to feed on the birds. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mites-chicken-pests-how-to-protect-your-chickens-from-mites