Molting?

[Old Ben]

So first off I’m aware that pictures are needed, but I’m not able to get them right now so I’ll just say what I know and post them here later. One of my fully mature hens has started to loose feathers over the past week, quite a bit of feathers. I can tell they’re hers because she is a different color then the rest. So far I’ve found quite a few longer feathers some I believe are flight feathers, normal body feathers and some really small feathers that could be from the head but idk. She’s starting to have a generally ruff appearance, not like she has bald spots. More like she’s ruffled up. I can see some pen feathers coming through on the edges of her wings. The only thing I’m really concerned about is her rear end, I can’t see the skin but the feathers look ruff and I’m not sure why. I’ll try to get a better look at her today, but I got this hen when she was already grown and though she’s sweet, she would probably freak out if I tried to pick her up any time of the day.

 

[sourland]

It sounds as if she is molting. Some birds molt gradually, and others 'blow' most of their feathers all at one time. The ruffled up appearance is an attempt on her part to retain warmth.

 

[cyberwife]

Sounds like molting to me. They usually stop laying while molting - is she laying eggs? 3 out of my 4 are molting currently, it's that time of year.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

I would check for mites. Just to be sure.

 

[Old Ben]

Sounds like molting to me. They usually stop laying while molting - is she laying eggs? 3 out of my 4 are molting currently, it's that time of year.

No she stopped laying almost four weeks ago. She is three years old though, so I imagine she won’t lay again till spring.