Molting?

[Eddy Chicken]

Do chickens molt at this time of year? It seemed all of our chickens molted back in October but now we have a Buff Orpington that has lost alot of feathers on her bottom and neck. It seems like they all fell out at once and are still falling out. The coop is loaded with them.

Heck of a time as it's 15 degrees outside. I have a heatlamp in the barn for her to go under if she wants to. She acts normal.

Thanks,

Ed

 

[sourland]

It can happen. I've always worried about those 'off season' molters, but it appears as if they refeather very rapidly.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Yep, I have a few that are late in their molt.

 

[lorain's fids]

Do chickens molt at this time of year? It seemed all of our chickens molted back in October but now we have a Buff Orpington that has lost alot of feathers on her bottom and neck. It seems like they all fell out at once and are still falling out. The coop is loaded with them.

Heck of a time as it's 15 degrees outside. I have a heatlamp in the barn for her to go under if she wants to. She acts normal.

Thanks,

Ed

I have one that is going through a molt right now. The other 4 started their molt in November, they are done or just about done getting in their new feathers.

 

[Eddy Chicken]

Thanks.
Another question. The other chickens seem to go after her since she started molting. She seems to defend herself ok and gives off that broody hen cluck when she's trying to pass through the flock on her way somewhere. Normal?