Moulting or something else???

[Minky]

A couple of my easter egger hens are looking haggard. They are about a year old, just.
Im thinking its either too much sex or moulting.
My rooster is also 1 yr old and there are only 6 hens.
I see him mounting them often. The haggard feathers started out just on the hips- but now its the beards, muffs and even on the chest and below the wings.
Is this moulting? I thought that would happen this fall?

If it is moulting should i supplement their feed or give them extra scrambled eggs?
If its too much "action" shall I lock up my rooster for a few days?

They free range 8am -8pm.

thanks

 

[RWise]

The way I describe a molting hen is she looks like an exploded dust mop. At 1YO they can molt but it would be early, normal is 18-22 months. (could they be older?) IF it were just the back I would say its the young roo. They could have been attacked, this can cause an early molt. High protein feed does help with regrowing feathers.

 

[Minky]

Hmmm, nope cant be older because when i got them they were only 12-16 weeks old.
Maybe Ill attach a photo-
they dont look like they've exploded. Just a few feathers out of place/dangling.
They werent attacked. Ok, good- Ive been adding a little extra protein.

 

[aart]

Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).


Some birds just have brittle feathers, so they are more likely to get broken from mounting. Nothing will improve those raggedy feathers until they molt.
Beards, muffs, and other places may be from the birds eating feathers off each other.
Even a higher protein diet may not curb that, tho more animal protein may help.