Missing feathers

[Ammontgk]

Hi!
I have a question about one of my hens. She is a Barnyard Mix who I believe is between 1.5-2 years old. She is high on the pecking order. I have recently noticed she is missing feathers bilaterally down her neck and the top wing feathers. It looks perfectly equal on both sides. Not signs of mites, vent gleet, no aggression from other birds. She was broody for about a week a few weeks back. I haven't noticed any broken or irritation skin.
Any ideas?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Is she molting? The symmetrical pattern leads me to think so. I have a Brahma who decided now was a good time to molt.

Pics might help, too.

 

[Ammontgk]

Is she molting? The symmetrical pattern leads me to think so. I have a Brahma who decided now was a good time to molt.

Pics might help, too.

I will try to get a picture in the morning. I noticed the neck tonigh and it's dark. I am newer to chickens and have never experienced molt but I thought it was in the fall. That would be a relief it is was molting, she is one of my original girls.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I will try to get a picture in the morning. I noticed the neck tonigh and it's dark. I am newer to chickens and have never experienced molt but I thought it was in the fall. That would be a relief it is was molting, she is one of my original girls.

It is an odd time to molt.

What percentage protein is in their feed?

 

[Ammontgk]

It is an odd time to molt.

What percentage protein is in their feed?

She is on 18% protein layer feed

 

[Aunt Angus]

She is on 18% protein layer feed

You might consider upping the protein for a bit to see if it helps her make new feathers. I add starter for a while, but some folks give cooked eggs or even fish/shrimp.

But pics would still be good tomorrow, in case it isn't a weird molt.

My molting Brahma is almost 4. She's never done a weird molt like this, but I have a Cochin who molts 2x a year. I recently added chicks, so I am wondering if the stress triggered it or something.

 

[Ammontgk]

You might consider upping the protein for a bit to see if it helps her make new feathers. I add starter for a while, but some folks give cooked eggs or even fish/shrimp.

But pics would still be good tomorrow, in case it isn't a weird molt.

My molting Brahma is almost 4. She's never done a weird molt like this, but I have a Cochin who molts 2x a year. I recently added chicks, so I am wondering if the stress triggered it or something.

 

[Ammontgk]

Thank you! I definitely post a picture in the morning. I did recently add more chicks to the coop so maybe it is stress induced? I will add some of the chick starter tomorrow to her feed.

 

[Ammontgk]

You might consider upping the protein for a bit to see if it helps her make new feathers. I add starter for a while, but some folks give cooked eggs or even fish/shrimp.

But pics would still be good tomorrow, in case it isn't a weird molt.

My molting Brahma is almost 4. She's never done a weird molt like this, but I have a Cochin who molts 2x a year. I recently added chicks, so I am wondering if the stress triggered it or something.

I finally got to get pictures this evening. Both sides look pretty much identical.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Have you looked her over for lice and mites?
Do you see her picking at herself?
Got a rooster?

Someone is picking her feathers along the neck. But the wing feathers being stripped, she's either being mounted or picking at those herself, imho. If she's picking at herself, then treat her with Permethrin dust in 7 day intervals. Those wing feather won't be replaced until she molts.