My first experience with molting

[Q9]

Hmmm... All 4 of our birds are about the same age, but only one has gone through the molting process.

On a funnier note, the one that molted was formerly the dominant one. Now she stays back and lets the other chickens get first dibs on treats.

Guess they taught her some respect while she was molting.

 

[Tangeygirl]

Well, poor Bluebird is looking worse and worse. I opened the door on the coop this morning...it was a whopping 20 degrees out and she was "shivering" If I could knit, I'd knit a sweater. I can kinda sew, almost thought about making her a fleece sweater.

This is our first molt. So I'm not sure really how to handle it for the person who asked about winter and molt. I've done some research on it, have tried to increase their protein so that the feathers grow in quicker but there's not much else one can do. To the person who mentioned being dominant and now isn't...I absolutely find that with Bluebird. She's kinda "shy" now. Who wouldn't be when you look as funny looking as she does!?!

Here's my sweet BlueBird this morning on the left, Marigold on the right...who seems to have only lost some neck & tail feathers so far.

~Jaime

 

[Tangeygirl]

Well, it's been 22 days since I last posted a pic of my molting girls. I didn't realize just how quickly their feathers would grow back!! My homely looking girls with their pinfeathers showing are now back to their gorgeous selves. Their tail feathers aren't as long as they were before the molt but they're getting there! And now I feel much better about them being out in the frigid temps with their new feathers

(Though it is 53 here today in January!)

Here are the girls today...