New Mum

[Michelene]

My buff Orpington had 3 chicks last week that are all doing well, but mum is constantly pulling out her own feathers is this normal?

 

[CluckerFamily]

Welcome to BYC!
Usually my hen pulls out some feathers when building here cozy nest to start sitting on the eggs. Have you inspected her for lice or mites? She sat for a while in one area, you may want to make sure this isn't the reason.

 

[Michelene]

Hi, yes and she’s ok. Today is the worst day, I wondered if they were stressing her out too much. This just from today

 

[centrarchid]

I assume you are in the northern hemisphere. Feathers lost not being pulled, even when from breast area around brood patch. She appears to be in molt. My hens with chicks tend to delay it a bit with later hens molting now.

 

[Michelene]

Im in the UK and I have 3 hens none of which hardly moulted at all last year. The other 2 are out free ranging and have lost no feathers. Today the mum really seems unsettled and is also continuosly scratching about in the bedding

 

[centrarchid]

Im in the UK and I have 3 hens none of which hardly moulted at all last year. The other 2 are out free ranging and have lost no feathers. Today the mum really seems unsettled and is also continuosly scratching about in the bedding

They all molt as adults in fall. Sometimes they consume most of the feathers making observation harder.