Need Help! Is she Molting??

[Lin_0330]

Hi,

I have one hen and she is losing feathers on her belly.
I bought her as a POL in May this year so I don’t know exactly how old is she, since she started laying in Jun so I assume she is just under 1 year old.

Recently I notice her feathers are missing, it starts at very bottom and now I can see her breast skin.

I don’t think it is to do with parasites as she shows no irritation and my other chickens who live with her are all fine.

I know chicken molt around this time of the year but I thought they only start to molt in the second year of their life and they stop laying when they molt.

This year is her first year and she has been laying everyday so I very confused.
It is getting colder and colder I am very worried as well.

Appreciate if you can give some advice.
Thanks

 

[SulkyBantam]

Is she broody? sounds like she's plucking a broody patch.

 

[Lin_0330]

Is she broody? sounds like she's plucking a broody patch.

I don’t think so. She is still laying everyday and comes out play everyday, only visit nest box when she wants to lay and come out straight away after she laid, does not sit in her nest box for long at all.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Hmm, strange, that's the exact broody patch description. I did have hen do so when she was about to go broody though. Keep an eye out.

Treat her lightly for parasites in case. Watch out for bullying. Keep me updated!

 

[Ian0823]

I don’t think so. She is still laying everyday and comes out play everyday, only visit nest box when she wants to lay and come out straight away after she laid, does not sit in her nest box for long at all.

Does she cluck sometimes ?
Has she gone broody before ?

 

[Lin_0330]

Does she cluck sometimes ?
Has she gone broody before ?

No, she has never went broody

 

[SulkyBantam]

Hmm. What breed please?

 

[Lin_0330]

Hmm, strange, that's the exact broody patch description. I did have hen do so when she was about to go broody though. Keep an eye out.

Treat her lightly for parasites in case. Watch out for bullying. Keep me updated!

Yes, very strange. As it is getting cold I am very worried she will catch a cold with bald belly. She is the boss in the flock as she is the oldest, but I will keep an eye, thanks.
I will but some mite treatment for her see if it works.

 

[Lin_0330]

Hmm. What breed please?

I bought her as a Pied ranger, a mix between Sussex and Barred Rock.

 

[SulkyBantam]

OK. they are not the most broody breeds but they do go broody. Have you seen any bullying? What a mystery!