Moulting

[Oolala]

Is this a normal molt??? Fleur has been loosing feathers for about a month now, a few around her vent to start with then this last week more and more with the coop and garden covered in them. She is not particularly agitated, not stressed, no diarrhea, no mites, as far as I can see anyway and she and the coop have been dusted, geraldine by the side of her is the same loosing feathers around the vent with more and more each day. My little rhode island Rosie though is fine, no feather loss and they all cuddle up together at night in The same place. She is about six months old but has been broody for most of that time, she has stopped laying for about 4-5weeks now, but so has Geraldine, Rosie is still going strong, regular as clockwork every morning. I had chickens years ago and none of this worry but they were all Rhodies then.

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like one of the others have been pecking out her feathers. They don't usually have a big molt until about 16-18 months of age, and then yearly after than. Reasons for feather picking are overcrowding, boredom from not getting outside to roam, and not enough protein in the diet. Since she was broody so long that might have added to the problem. What type of feed are you using? I have used BluKote spray successfully on bare patches to help prevent pecking, but some feel it could cause others to target that area. Just watch them if you use it. You might also give a few high protein treats or increase your protein to 20% such as what is in a flock raiser or all flock feed.

 

[Abriana]

I agree