Molting?

chickenbh1999

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I was wondering if my chickens are molting? If not then what's wrong with them? All of them seem to have these bare spots on them and some are even missing feathers on the end of their wing. Some keep pecking on each other so it is kinda hard for the feathers to grow back.... I want the feathers back ASAP because I'am planning on showing some in the summer
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Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! It could be a combination of things including molting, but that looks more like feather plucking or rooster damage (do you have a rooster?) There is a nice article in the Learning Center on Bully behavior in chickens and what you can do to help prevent feather plucking https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/bullying-behavior-in-chickens Bored hens are really prone to starting this, and doing what you can to keep them entertained helps, removing the bully for a few days to knock them down in the pecking order sometimes works also. Pinless Peepers will usually put a stop to it if nothing else works. You might try spraying the bare skin of the plucked birds with something like Blu-Kote, that won't stop but it sometimes helps slow down the plucking. Do double check for parasites, lice/mites as they can make feathers look pretty ragged also.
 
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

I agree with Kelsie. That is looking more like feather picking rather than molting. Make sure your birds have lots of protein. Chickens pluck out feathers and eat them because feathers are filled with protein. (In fact they are 85% protein!) So make sure they have lots of protein in their diet.
 
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I'm glad you joined our community!

To me, that looks like feather picking/damage, not molting. Have you seen any of the hens picking at each other?
 

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