When I went outside this morning to let the ladies out I noticed that one of my hens (11 months old) is missing feathers in lots of patches around her body, (but they have started growing back and are encased in the waxy tubes still). She also appears a bit thinner than normal and her comb was pale.
I'm not sure why I didn't notice the missing feathers earlier (it had to have happened several days ago or a week since they are already growing back).
I am trying to figure out... is she sick or is it a moult? It seems early for her to be moulting (doesn't that usually happen around 18 months?)
I inspected her for lice and mites, and didn't see any (plus the other 5 chickens don't seems to have any symptoms and I think they would have bugs too). I didn't notice any other symptoms that would make me think she is sick.
What do you think? Does it sound like a molt or something else?
I'm not sure why I didn't notice the missing feathers earlier (it had to have happened several days ago or a week since they are already growing back).
I am trying to figure out... is she sick or is it a moult? It seems early for her to be moulting (doesn't that usually happen around 18 months?)
I inspected her for lice and mites, and didn't see any (plus the other 5 chickens don't seems to have any symptoms and I think they would have bugs too). I didn't notice any other symptoms that would make me think she is sick.
What do you think? Does it sound like a molt or something else?