rooster losing tail feathers

[lolgan]

i've been finding his tail feathers everywhere and his tail is getting realllllly thin. plus some downy feathers are showing on his back.

i havent really seen any hens pick at them although its a possibility.

such a shame because he's so pretty.

any ideas?

thanks!

 

[chickenlady]

Could be molting.

 

[M To The Maxx]

Quote:
I agree.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Mine has molted his whole tail. I would guess that is what's happening with yours.

 

[lolgan]

thanks guys.

i wasnt sure if they molted their tail.

 

[gritsar]

Yep, I about cried when my roo lost his beautiful tail feathers to a molt. But they are back and beautiful again.

 

[ClareScifi]

My rooster turns 12 months old later this month. He is losing his tail feathers all over the place. Isn't it too early for him to be molting? I thought roosters didn't molt until 18 months old?

What else could it be?

Would lice or mites or parasites be more likely causing his tail feathers to fall out?

 

[kukree]

he most probably is moulting. I didn't know about moult when my cockerel started moulting, So I got a bit worried. it's worth having a check for mites in his feathers though

 

[ClareScifi]

Thankfully, he was just moulting. Scared me silly, though, not knowing. His feathers are beautiful now. I had read that the first molt is at 18 months, and he isn't even that old now. But finally I came across a site that said the age of first molt is dependent upon whether the rooster has gone through his first winter or not. Had I not read incomplete information first, I wouldn't have had to worry. Lots of incomplete info on the Internet. I guess it was assumed that everyone gets chicks in the spring, that no one hatches them in the fall and winters them over. LOL.

But now I am dealing with a frostbitten comb. Always something!

 

[debid]

I have a fall-hatched hen that molted with the big girls right at 12 months. I was surprised also.