My two year old hasn't molted

[love me a henny]

I have a hen, she is almost two and a half, hasn't molted looks a mess, has been seen by the vet for a respiratory illness recently which she has recovered after antibiotics. She's a white rock, acts normal now. When is she going to molt? Can chickens not molt and is this a problem, should I be worried about her, she keeps laying however. I am worried, I wish she would stop laying take a break and molt. Thank you everyone.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm not saying it isn't possible for a bird to never molt.
In the time you had her, has she ever stopped laying eggs?
Some birds are slow molters, meaning they slowly lose feathers and slowly regrow them. They would likely stop laying during that time.
If she has never stopped laying, I would try force molting her.
Put her somewhere you can control daylength. Cut her back to about 6 hours of light and cut back on her feed intake.

 

[love me a henny]

Thank you for your reply. She has not stopped laying since she started at about 6 mo of age. That's two years ago. She's slowed down to about every two or three days. I thought about taking to vet for a shot to stop her laying. But I do have an isolated coop in order to reduce daylight time. It's in the garage so I can control light by timer. The only thing I worry about is the pecking order. She's third in command and I don't want her to be bullied in a flock of ten most younger then she is when returned. I worry more about her health though..she's already been sick, and she really deserves a break from laying. I will consider your advice strongly. Thank you.

 

[Latestarter]

Well, you could always live pluck her and force her to re-grow feathers that way... JUST KIDDING! Don't do that!

Noticed you recently joined... Greetings and welcome to BYC. Glad to have you here with us. Lots of good reading in the threads, browse around and make yourself at home. Some chickens don't do a typical molt but just replace the occasional feather over time. Aside from ChickenCanoe's suggestion, I have nothing. Hope she molts soon for you.

 

[5BeachHens]

I have a wyandotte who has also not molted. She will be 2 in March. I don't get it. she's still laying almost daily...