RIR MOLTING

[Bobbimarks]

Hi there,
I think my 9 month old RIR's are molting. Is that normal this time of year? They seem to be losing a lot of neck and tail feathers. They have also stopped laying. With the weather getting colder, do I need to worry about their temperature regulation? Our other 5 chickens are looking pretty normal. Our Golden Comet and 2 leghorns are still laying very well. Our Aracaunas quit laying the same time as the RIR's. They are all fed laying crumble.
Thank you for any advice.

 

[JetCat]

it's normal this time of year, but yours are a little young for their first molt. do you have a rooster in the bunch?

it's also normal for some breeds to stop laying when the days get shorter.

 

[Bobbimarks]

Nope, no rooster.

 

[JetCat]

Nope, no rooster.

Ok, just thinking, they do have a tendency to cause feather loss on head/neck and tail area. have you checked them over for parasites?

 

[Bobbimarks]

I have not. They are very tough ones to catch. Though, none of my other chickens seem to be losing any feathers. I would think mites and parasites would affect the whole flock, and not single out a breed. I will try to grab one tomorrow, when I let them out, and inspect.