Molting or Something Else?

[kjorgey]

I have 7 Easter Eggers, all hatched the same day on April 15. Only 1 hen is losing feathers around her neck area. It is middle of January and seems odd to be molting this time of year as no other hens are. I assessed her and the others for mites and lice. None noted. It seems a bit late in the season for molting here in the northeast or am I wrong? She seems normal otherwise. Only change is weather is cold and not as much free ranging due to weather. Cause for concern or is this normal to mold in mid-winter?

 

[sourland]

Late molting occurs , Confining birds that are accustomed to free ranging can result in feather pecking/plucking. Can you post pictures of this bird?

 

[kjorgey]

I should mention, this is my favorite hen too. She normally follows me around the yard and enjoys hanging out in my greenhouse when I'm working there. She loves to be held too, is last to the treats when I give them, because she gets crowded out. I must pick her up and hand feed treats to her or she wouldn't get any meal worms. Was thinking bullying as well. I don't notice any feathers in the coop where they sleep and never see any aggression when they are out with me. No evidence of trauma on her body or comb. Today, I had them out for 2 hours watching them. No evidence of bullying, although she wasn't keen on me picking her up, which was strange.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Looks to be molting. You can see the nice amount of pinfeathers coming in.

 

[aart]

Chickens molt and grow a new set of feathers 2-3 times before around 6 months of age, those are called the juvenile molts.
Some pullets will have a partial molt their first fall/winter.
Most birds will have their first full adult molt their second fall/winter.

 

[kjorgey]

Thank you. I thought as much, but it seemed unusual the other 6 hens have not begun to molt and it is mid-January and cold.

 

[kjorgey]

Thank you. I thought as much, but it seemed unusual the other 6 hens have not begun to molt and it is mid-January and cold. No fun to go through this I imagine when it's 19 degrees outside.