Molting?

[stacibful]

I have 5 White Wyandotte hens that are apart of my flock of 19 chickens. They are a year and 5 months old. In the last few months we've only been getting 4-6 eggs a week compared to our normal dozen or two. These 5 started looking very dull, dirty even, and weren't as perky. No one seems sick at all. This past weekend I noticed new bright white feathers are coming in and some have bald patches right above their tails. Could this be molting?

 

[Ameraucanas]

It probably is, although it is slightly unusual that they would be molting in the summer. Here's a little bit about molting- http://www.nutrenaworld.com/knowledge-center/poultry/the-molting-process/
Also, they are probably not very perky because of the heat, so I would buy some electrolytes to put in their water if I were you.

 

[donrae]

Yep, sounds like molting. 18ish months is the prime age, so your ladies are just a bit ahead of the curve.

 

[Chickenmanjim7]

right now all my older ladies. about 16 months old are starting to molt.