Molting?

[pipit]

7 of my chickens are about 10 weeks old, the others are about 5 weeks. the older chickens seem to be starting to molt. Is this normal? Do they molt before they start to lay?

 

[allen wranch]

The chicks will go through several molts before they mature. Mine are the same age as yours and are losing feathers. Every time I pick one up, feathers fall out. Look at some of the bare areas, and you will see new feather growth.