Seven month molt?

[MeatyCluckers]

Hi!

We noticed today one of our Wyandottes is missing some patches of feathers on her chest and neck - not enough to really catch our eye. She also seems to lose quite a few feathers when she preens or flaps. She has not laid this past week, and today her comb seemed paler than usual, although behavior was otherwise totally normal (eating/drinking/foraging/engaging with flock mates etc).

The signs all seem to point to some sort of soft molt but I’m not sure if her age means that’s unlikely? She is only just shy of seven months and has been laying since mid September.

No other hens are losing feathers and I don’t see signs of mites, although admittedly I’m sure I could be missing something there since I’m new to chickens (our first flock!). Thanks!

 

[sourland]

Some birds will molt their first autumn. Sounds as if she may be one of them.

 

[Tonyroo]

Juvenile chickens molt 3 to 4 times before there a year old. Sometimes it's mild to noticeable.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Mine are 5 months and I see a few feathers here and there, but not when they flap the wings. I will keep a closer look and report back.

 

[vibackyardchicks]

We have 3 EEs right now and all are molting

Losing feathers, pale combs and wattles, no eggs… otherwise totally happy and healthy.