NY chicken lover!!!!

[AmberKnits]

My neighbor and I are noticing signs of molting in our flocks. It's so early! Is anyone else seeing this?

 

[tao chick]

Good Luck !

I let them out yesterday evening and this evening. They've stayed close, stretched their legs and gone back to the coop. Maybe they'll forget about the neighbors.

 

[Purple Iris]

My neighbor and I are noticing signs of molting in our flocks. It's so early! Is anyone else seeing this?

View attachment 1081196

Yep, my Brown Leghorn is currently molting too, coop looked like there'd been a pillow fight in there the last few mornings

 

[AmberKnits]

Yep, my Brown Leghorn is currently molting too, coop looked like there'd been a pillow fight in there the last few mornings

Isn't it awfully early for molting?

 

[Purple Iris]

Isn't it awfully early for molting?

Yes, my other birds have only ever lost their feathers in the fall, she's a bit of a panicky, flighty girl, molted at an unusual time once before, and I had no idea why - then saw the muddy raccoon prints on the outside of the coop - had tried to get in there overnight - luckily its secure, and the birds were safe, but hearing all that scrabbling must have frightened her and the molt was a stress response.

Are you near me? I was wondering if its our Bflo weather proving stressful, has been so hot and humid lately, or dramatic thunderstorms, downpours and flooding for quite a few weeks. Wondered if the physical stress of dealing with that could have contributed to unusual molt time?

No idea if its relevant but she's the only one molting, and is our oldest chicken, around 4 years old.

 

[AmberKnits]

I live in the town of Maine

 

[AmberKnits]

I just saw you are near buffalo, so about 3 hours away - I'm in the southern tier.

 

[AmberKnits]

I've heard that early molt can mean a bad winter or an early winter

 

[Hilly78]

Hello I lost this thread again and now i've found it! I'm from Chenango County NY. The Dominique is my favorite and I have a great flock. I have Marans which I'm breeding up until the end of September. What I am breeding in the Spring are: Dominiques, Mottled Java, Marans, Olives, and buff laced Brahma. I love all breeds of chickens!

 

[AmberKnits]

Oooooo Buff Laced Brahma....I just looked those up. Very pretty!! I may want a few in the spring!