Molting

[Yay Chicks!]

Chickens will go through "mini" molts in their first year. They generally will not loose all their feathers, but will replace some. I would pick her up and make sure their are new feathers coming in and make sure also that she doesn't have any bugs ... just to set your mind at ease.

 

[Hwlchickmama]

^i agree when my girls were that age I had a feather eater picked on everyone's necks n butts... Shelter died in the head of the summer prolly had something to do w/ it but after the molt this year every ones feathers came back the diff was BALD skin vs UUUUUGLLLLY "new feather" bits good luck!!!!!

 

[canesisters]

I wish I had thought to take a picture when I had my SLW in my lap...

She's 8 months old and I've noticed that the feathers just in front of her tail have been 'standing up' for a few weeks. Like when they fluff all up and shake - but it's just that one spot. My roo is also 8 months old and I figured that it might be his doing. But yesterday afternoon I noticed a tiny bit of pink just in front of those fluffy feathers so I snagged her (she's not the friendliest girl) and checked her out.
There is a patch, about the size of my palm, on the middle of her back that is bald. There are feathers growing in - about 1/4 - 1/2 inch long little stubby prickles. The skin didn't seem aggravated except for one little scratch. I didn't see any sign of bugs.
So - since this is my first year with chickens.. Is this the famous 'first year mini molt' that I've heard of??? Or do you think my young roo is being rough and I should start looking for patterns to make her an apron/saddle thingy?

 

[nakstk]

Glad I found this. I got my 5 SS girls July of 11' one of them did a mini molt at about 8 months but it was spring time. All 5 of them had a major molt in Oct. I was out today taking pictures of them while they were free ranging and I noticed that one of my new girls a 33wk 5day old Wellie was missing a few feathers around her head. I picked her up and checked her out. Thinking there was feather picking or something but nope. It's a mini molt too. That explains why I am only getting the one egg every other day and its not her spotted egg. I did get a picture of her. You can see the new feather growth.

 

[Agafan]

Here's a pic of my hens vent area on her bottom. I just noticed it today. I haven't been out to the coop lately as its been rainy and I've been busy inside cooking for the holidays and taking care of company. But Hubby's been out there every day building another coop but he just did not notice it

Two of my 4 golden comets are like this. We've only had them for 2 mo and they are a little over 8 mo old. We are new to chicken owning/ raising.
The back of her neck is missing feathers too ..they seem to be broken off with only short 1" quills sticking out of her neck where feathers used to be. I didn't snap a pic of her neck as my phone battery died just then. but it's terrible looking! Help! What it is and what do I do???
They are laying like crazy though even in this cold freezing weather in our mts. 3 eggs a day from 4 hens! But we do leave a 60 w light bulb in a lantern on all night in the coop
Thx for your help.

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[Ranitameya]

That looks very similar to my roosters butt right now. He is about 10 months old, and started losing tail-feathers last week. I had to remove him from the flock because the girls were pecking him terribly. I kept him in for about 3 days and then applied Blue Kote. Unfortunately, the day after his return to the coop, they were at him again. I don't know why the Blue Kote didn't deter them, but I have him in a cage in the house right now. Does anyone have any other suggestions or an idea about how long I should keep him separated? Also, I am wondering why they're doing this to him, yet they don't do the same to each other... (3 of them are Golden Comets I got at auction; they're older and 2 have been molting...)?

 

[nakstk]

That looks very similar to my roosters butt right now. He is about 10 months old, and started losing tail-feathers last week. I had to remove him from the flock because the girls were pecking him terribly. I kept him in for about 3 days and then applied Blue Kote. Unfortunately, the day after his return to the coop, they were at him again. I don't know why the Blue Kote didn't deter them, but I have him in a cage in the house right now. Does anyone have any other suggestions or an idea about how long I should keep him separated? Also, I am wondering why they're doing this to him, yet they don't do the same to each other... (3 of them are Golden Comets I got at auction; they're older and 2 have been molting...)?

Not sure why they are pecking him. Are they pulling his feathers out? Sometime chickens will pull and eat feathers if they are not getting enough protein in their diet. Maybe its just a pecking order thing and he is at the bottom.