Molting early? Is this supposed to happen?

[Ameraucana_girl]

I know chickens molt once a year, but are they supposed to molt when they're 4-4.5 mo. old? My hamburg is molting and she's about 4.5 months old....I don't know if they go through a molt before they start laying or not. She's losing some of her tail feathers and some wing feathers, so I don't know if I should be concerned.

-Ameraucana

 

[LynneP]

I had 4 mini-moults in the first year...sounds normal

 

[Ridgerunner]

Feather loss can be a sign that something is not right and should be checked out, but I agree with LynneP. Sounds normal. Mine are going through one at 8 weeks. You might want to check these sites for confirmation.

Mississippi State describes molting
http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html

Kansas State feather loss
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/mf2308.pdf

 

[Ameraucana_girl]

Okay, thanks

 

[kathyinmo]

I don't think they molt at that young age. Though I am no expert, from what I have read, they do not molt until after they begin laying eggs. It could be some other cause. Maybe you could start a topic under the illness and injuries catagory and get more expert advise.
Kathy

 

[Ameraucana_girl]

okay, I did read that at 4-5 wks they have all of their feathers and at 8-10 wks they replace them with new ones.