Molting chickens right now?

[KikiLeigh02]

I don't think her being broody for 3-4 days would cause a forced molt. My rooster is in the middle of a molt, I think it was because:
1) He was already the right age to molt
2) We've had a ton of rain! There were 2-3 weeks where it was more surprising for it not be raining or about to rain. I'm pretty sure that was the biggest factor.
This may help you:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/molting-your-flocks-seasonal-shedding.64884/

 

[coach723]

There are a lot of factors, many are not understood well at all, that go into molting. There are 'averages' and 'norms' and there are exceptions to those that can still be completely normal. They are not machines and things going on in their bodies and in their environment all influence how and when things happen. Stress and illness can trigger a molt, doesn't mean it always will, but it could. Their internal clock, for whatever reason, can decide it's time, regardless of the calendar. I've got one right now that I'd estimate is about 1/2 way through a molt and we aren't into July just yet. None of my others are molting yet. She's not sick in any way that I can tell, so I am not real worried about it. She molted early last year also, but not this early. I've had birds in the past, on occasion and not real often, appear to miss a molt. Maybe it was just partial and I didn't notice (doubtful), but their feathers were really ratty until they finally did. When there is feather loss it's always a good idea to do a lice/mite check, check weight to make sure they aren't getting thin, look for any other indications that there may be a health problem. If nothing is found and the bird seems fine otherwise, I just mark it down to mother nature and her vagaries and I don't worry about it too much. I have one hen that is constantly broody all summer, she spends a fair amount of time every year in the crate getting broken of it because I only let them sit once a year, or once every other year, it's never triggered a molt in her. Doesn't mean it couldn't, it just hasn't. There is such a wide range of what is really normal, sometimes you just need to eliminate any possibilities of something dire going on, and then let nature take it's course. The only other thing I would suggest is to look for signs of feather picking by other birds or damage by rooster or dominant hen mounting. When a bird is broody and sits, sometimes she becomes a target of others who want that spot/nest box, if it's in the community area. Then it will just be bare spots with no new feathers coming in. If you are seeing pin feathers anywhere on her body, it's probably a molt. Hope that helps some.