molting or pecked?

supermom

In the Brooder
11 Years
Sep 10, 2008
46
1
32
I have a 5 month old polish hen (black with white head). She appears to be loosing feathers in the neck area. The black part of the feather is gone but the shaft is still intact. I don't see any bugs. A few of the shafts seem to be growing black feathers again I think. I have never seen her pecked although I also have a buff orpington that is the same age. I have seen the two hens posture at each other but usually they are pals and they hang around together. Is this chicken being pecked when I am not around or is it molting? (I also have 3 BR but they are only about 9 weeks and I've never seen them be agressive at all.)
If it matters, I live in northern California so it's not cold here yet.
 
At that age, I am assuming she could just be getting adult feathers, especially the number of feathers those polish have. I have heard that they don't molt until about 18 months, so I don;t think it's that. My hens have been pecking at my roos chest leaving him somewhat bald, but he is ok with it.
 

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