Molt or something else?

[e72071]

One of my girls has lost a lot of feathers and doesn’t appear to be growing them back. She lost them about 2 months ago. I thought it was her first molt because she is a little over 1 year old. Then I thought it was a hard molt but now I’m questioning it. She has recently been spending more time in the nest boxes so again thought maybe broody? I have her in her own area now. Gave her high protein and water with electrolytes but I want to make sure I’m treating the right thing. Here are some pictures. Athanks in advance for any input.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Not a molt yet. Some of my birds are looking pretty scurvy already. They wear their feathers off on the roosts, in the nestboxes, others pluck them, they pluck them, roosters wear them off, and the list can go on. As long as you aren't seeing an external parasite overload, I wouldn't worry about it. They will be pretty after the fall molt which generally happens anywhere from August to December.

 

[micstrachan]

My 2 1/3 year old Black Australorp has still never molted and has huge bald areas on her underside, as well. She has several new, shiny feathers on other parts of her body that just seem to sneak in here and there and I don’t think she’s ever stopped laying since she started her first year. Not sure what to make of it. Curious to see how others respond. Good luck!

 

[Shezadandy]

That looks like broody underbelly to me-
But do check around her vent for parasites just in case- that can be the easiest spot to find mites etc.

As for the neck- I have something of a neck picker's club in my flock - it's almost like they haze the new girl that wants to be their friend. I have one finally doing a broody molt and growing hers back - and two more I can't wait to have molt because they look like naked necks- hopefully they've outgrown it- they've left my molter alone with all her brand new feathers, so there's hope. Out of 80 some birds, the "club" is around 5 chickens, all of which have some leghorn breeding.