My sweet little hen, looking like Mr. Hyde....

[Chicken5ooh]

Two year old hen is losing feathers around wings and head, also acting very moody...not wanting to be around anyone and will not let me hold her....is she molting???? I live in VA, its just started cooling off around here....thanks in advance. Nothing has changed in her diet though....all though she would not eat her chicken crack tonight that I've gotten my flock hooked on. (meal worms)

 

[BantamLover21]

Sounds like she's molting to me--that is common in hens over a year of age, especially in the fall/early winter. Molting hens do tend to become "moody,"probably because their growing feathers are a bit sensitive.

 

[Chicken5ooh]

thanks for the reply that's what Im leaning towards to...molting...she has been the one to always let me hold her and I thought she might be sick

 

[Ridgerunner]

Does she look something like the chicken in post #228 in this thread? That's a serious molt.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/394556/official-contest-worst-chicken-molt-pictures-winner/220

Yours sounds like a molt. Sometimes it is so gradual you really can't tell by looking at them. Then sometimes, well look at post #228 in that thread.