Molting in spring

[happyhencamper]

One of my 4 year old hens Easter egger/Americana? Is molting here in June. I am in Massachusetts and it has been a cool June. Wouldn’t think much of it but others in the flock of 12 are starting to look a bit ruffled. A 7 year old and a 2 year old. Is it normal for molting to happen this early and to several in the flock. They normally look beautiful. I am seeing the tiny pieces of sheath below perches like the fall molt and white feathers everywhere. Feathers everywhere just from one. The others mentioned just look ruffled.

 

[happyhencamper]

Not sure how to add to my own thread but they preen a lot early morning and evening which I think is normal right? I haven’t checked for mites not sure how. I dust coop with diatomaceous earth every 2 weeks or so. They have tires with sand, ash and diatomaceous earth that they dust in regularly and free range once a week digging holes and dusting in the yard. I have not noticed much reduction in eggs. I do not use artificial light in winter. I wormed with safe guard goat wormer in late April early May. Can the worming cause early molt/ruffled feathers?

 

[Mrs. K]

I would check for mites and lice, especially if they are digging at themselves. Feather mites make feathers look terrible, google it.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

I haven’t checked for mites not sure how.

My Bug Check notes:
Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

I dust coop with diatomaceous earth every 2 weeks or so.

Save your money, this will not prevent pests.

 

[Sophia V]

Not sure how to add to my own thread but they preen a lot early morning and evening which I think is normal right? I haven’t checked for mites not sure how. I dust coop with diatomaceous earth every 2 weeks or so. They have tires with sand, ash and diatomaceous earth that they dust in regularly and free range once a week digging holes and dusting in the yard. I have not noticed much reduction in eggs. I do not use artificial light in winter. I wormed with safe guard goat wormer in late April early May. Can the worming cause early molt/ruffled feathers?

I have 3 barred rocks and they also started molting in June. I was told it is normal for a spring "soft molt" and then a full molt in late fall. I also checked for illness, mites etc.

It's a molt I have feathers everywhere.