Molting or feather picking?

[Rogue Chickens]

I have three BO hens, all born April 2018 - so they're 10 months old. One of them (the smaller of the 3), has been losing a lot of feathers lately, mostly around her neck. She has gotten pretty bare on the neck. But she's losing them all over also. When she's out in the wind, you just see the feathers fly from her.

How do you know a molt from picking?

In the attached photo, she's the one on the left.

I was worried about boredom, so I have today started to let them roam outside more and got them some high protein treats.

Just hoping for some tips on knowing what this could be. Thanks!!

 

[21hens-incharge]

What does her neck look like....The skin I mean. In the picture it looks like there may be an injury under there.

She looks thin too.

To check if she is eating enough feel their crops after they go to roost. That will give you something to compare hers to. It should be full at night and significantly smaller in the morning before food is eaten.

I am wondering if she is being bullied away from food.

 

[DobieLover]

What does her neck look like....The skin I mean. In the picture it looks like there may be an injury under there.

She looks thin too.

To check if she is eating enough feel their crops after they go to roost. That will give you something to compare hers to. It should be full at night and significantly smaller in the morning before food is eaten.

I am wondering if she is being bullied away from food.

X2

 

[staceyj]

When molting it’s common to lose feathers around the neck area and also see a cloud of feathers fly when they shake. Sometimes the coop floor will be clean one day and covered in feathers the next morning.

The easiest way to tell though is to get your hands on the chicken and look.

A molting chicken, upon closer inspection, will reveal lots of pinfeathers coming in. Look for them on the underneath, around the neck and around the vent.
Be gently though. Their skin is very sensitive at this time.
While you’re at it, take this opportunity to do a parasite checkup.

When molting, my girls don’t eat well, drop some weight, look pale, and act moody as if they are teenagers who feel ugly.

I switch to an all flock feed or “feather fixer” during this time of year since it gives them a boost of protein which is essential to regrowing feathers.

 

[chickens really]

. Sorry my devise froze..Possibly they are pecking her too?

 

[aart]

Partial molt...not uncommon at that age.
But, yes, look for pin feathers.

..and....
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

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).

 

[Rogue Chickens]

Great tips from everyone, thank you!! I checked her over last night and saw lots of pin feathers. No blood either, I was worried about the bullying. Didn't notice any mites or anything like that. Would you have those in the freezing temps anyway?

 

[aart]

Would you have those in the freezing temps anyway?

Yes.
Lice and the kind of mites that stay on the bird are warm and toasty under those feathers.