Molting?

[Ohmyheart]

I have 2 black sex links that are 9 months old. I have a total of 20 pullets from and only these two have this bare spot under their top feathers.

I don't thinks it's molting because we noticed the weird look of feathers (top layer) awhile ago. But as I'm new to chickens these are my first ones, I am far from being all knowing

So what are your thoughts.

 

[RodNTN]

Hi there! It doesn't look like molting, but my Black sex link hen did the exact same thing! She began her "official" molt soon after, though. And all of her feathers grew back

 

[Ohmyheart]

Thank you, so maybe this is like a pre molting step
So silly, these girls are. Chickens sure do pick a weird time of the year to molt.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Either she's rubbing them off in the nest sitting on eggs or someone may be plucking them. What are you feeding them. I don't think it's the molt based on her comb size.

 

[Ohmyheart]

Either she's rubbing them off in the nest sitting on eggs or someone may be plucking them. What are you feeding them. I don't think it's the molt based on her comb size.

She does like to sit a bit when she ready to lay. No one would dare pluck a feather from her. She's the top and they run when she walks by.

They get starter/grower 20% protein.
I do know her BFF is my small OEGH (the little tiny one in my avatar) and she would snuggle up to her at night. Maybe that is how it's getting rubbed off.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She does like to sit a bit when she ready to lay. No one would dare pluck a feather from her. She's the top and they run when she walks by.

They get starter/grower 20% protein.
I do know her BFF is my small OEGH (the little tiny one in my avatar) and she would snuggle up to her at night. Maybe that is how it's getting rubbed off.

That may be what's going on with the combination of the two things. Many hens will end up will a slight bald spot on their underside from nest sitting. She could also be hanging over the box lip and rubbing them off too.

 

[Ohmyheart]

That may be what's going on with the combination of the two things. Many hens will end up will a slight bald spot on their underside from nest sitting. She could also be hanging over the box lip and rubbing them off too.

That makes so much sense. I'll start looking better when she's in there to see if she's rubbing up on the edge.

 

[aart]

Hmmm...are you seeing any feathers lying around?
Wonders if she picking them herself?
Is that one's crop always that full?

 

[Ohmyheart]

None of her feathers around.
No they just finished eating.

 

[aart]

That spot looks 'plucked'... I'll bet they are eating them.