Moulting?? Disease??

[7 chooks]

Hi, I have 7 chickens in total. 3 of these chickens have bald areas on their sholders on 1 or both wings. This has been going on for a couple of months now. Skin area is pink and not bloody. We thought this was molting but now not so sure. They look like there are new feathers coming and other areas of their bodies seem fuller and fluffier with feathers but all I have read says they only moult in end of Summer/Autumn and here in New Zealand we are in Summer (and as I say...this has been going on for a couple of months now.)?? Egg production is non exsistant. they are approx 18 months old.
What does anyone think??

All advice appreciated.

 

[7 chooks]

Although new feathers look like they are on there way the bald patch seems to never completly cover??

 

[Judy]

Time of year isn't that set in stone, and 18 months is a usual age for molting.

You didn't mention whether you had checked for lice / mites, which can also cause this.


http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8162.pdf

 

[GermanChick]

Make sure that there isn't a mites/lice problem. If you can rule that out and they act (eating, drinking) otherwise normal then it is probably molting. It can seem like it will go on forever..... especially with more hens. My flock is molting and it seems like it has been going on all winter, feathers everywhere around the coop and yard, like there was a huge pillow fight ;-)
Mine usually don't have bald areas, just "uneven" feathering............