Molting, pecking, or predator?

[VeggieGoneEggie]

As usual last night after work, the chickies went to roost in the coop at sunset and I locked them up safe.

This morning, I let them it to do they’re free-ranging around our fenced chicken yard, and I noticed that my 10 mo. old Delaware pullet, Donna, has a bunch of feathers missing around the top of her neck.

I don’t think I see any evidence of blood - maaaybe the tiniest droplet on one feather - and she’s acting totally normally.

On an inspection of the chicken yard, I saw a LOT of missing white feathers (Donna’s my only white bird) particularly in an old goat shed that the chickens like to hang out in during the day. More of her feathers are strewn about the yard and the run, but nothing I can see in the coop.

I haven’t seen any pecking behavior between the birds... Donna’s about #2 in the pecking order ... and I don’t have a rooster.

What happened? Is this the beginning of a molt? Or does it look like something grabbed her yesterday before I came home?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I am no expert. Looks like pin feathers and since I would think if she were attacked, there would be more damage - I am going to say molting. Just double check your coop/run to see if there is any where that something could have gotten in.

 

[coach723]

X2!

 

[micstrachan]

You poor sweet llovely is molting. My 10-month-okd Light Brahmais going through a brutal molt, too, right now. Can you provide a 20% protein feed or offer a protein treat like scrambled egg or tuna?

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

X3! Definitely a molt. They can look terrible for a while. I agree with @micstrachan. Give her more protein for a few weeks. Their mood can also be off around this time as well.