Molting?

[nirtak]

We have 6 hens: 2 Rhode Island Reds, 1 Barred Rock, 3 ISA Browns.

One of the Rhode Islands looks pretty bad- lost or broke lots of feathers on side and back of neck, next to comb, wing, tail.
The other Rhode Island has lost or broken feathers on the side of the neck.
The other 4 look fine.

Are those two molting or what's going on?
Thank you so much!

 

[Pretty Birds]

Are those two molting or what's going on?

Yes, it appears they are molting.

 

[nirtak]

Thank you so much!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes it is molt.
Is this their first or second autumn?

 

[nirtak]

Their second. So far, we must have only have "secret molters" as we have never really seen our hens molt.
Is it more common in older or younger chickens?

 

[TheChiggens]

Definitely molting

 

[Pretty Birds]

Is it more common in older or younger chickens?

They go through a juvenile molt when they are growing in their new feathers when they are young. They then will molt every year, typically in the fall.
This article has more information.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-happens-when-chickens-molt.67366/

 

[aart]

They go through a juvenile molt when they are growing in their new feathers when they are young. They then will molt every year, typically in the fall.

Actually 3 juvenile molts between hatching and about 6 months old.

 

[Cwestlake]

Their second. So far, we must have only have "secret molters" as we have never really seen our hens molt.
Is it more common in older or younger chickens?

My Speckled Sussex hen is molting, my other 3 hens haven’t started molting...... This is their first winter they are 9 months old... The one that’s molting is pictured here the Speckled Sussex Hen!