Molting or Another Issue?

[Ian151]

I have a hen who is exhibiting signs of molting but I am not sure if that is what is going on. She doesn't have mites or anything like that and seems to be fine. Can anyone give some insight? It has been raining here so that is why her feathers look wet on her butt.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you have a rooster?

 

[Lucy Brown]

Do you have a rooster?

our neighbor's chickens rooster did that to his hens.

 

[Ryguy3684]

My rooster has a favorite hen that he mates more often than the others. She looks exactly the same way.

 

[Ian151]

We do have a rooster so she is the only hen because my other little Orpington died last month. Would you recommend a chicken saddle then? Do they work?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is your only hen - no other chickens?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We do have a rooster so she is the only hen because my other little Orpington died last month. Would you recommend a chicken saddle then? Do they work?

OK I just re-read that!

Let me start again
You do have a rooster. So. That would be mating damage. If she's the only hen, then yes, I would get a saddle for her. Some hens have soft feathers so damage shows up more.
I've used saddles before and they do help protect the hen. There's still going to be some feather damage/breakage due to wear of the saddle, from the rooster mounting, etc. but not as much as without a saddle. I checked the skin underneath the saddles at least 1-2 times a week to make sure the skin looked o.k. (it's possible it can flap up and a rooster's nail scratch them, etc.). Just normal checking the hen over for fit, etc.

Etsy sellers have a nice selection of saddles, you may want to check them out.