Spotting a molting rooster

[RodNTN]

Hello! So... I know that roosters do molt, but in my 5 years of chicken keeping I have never seen one of my roosters actually molting, and I have kept dozens of roosters. Do they just molt so gradually I don't realize they're molting? Even one of my roosters now whom I've had for a few years now has never been through a hard molt like my hens.

So my question is: Have any of you dealt with this before? Thanks so much in advance

 

[Relleoms]

My roo lost ALL his tail feathers this fall and looked utterly ridiculous! He’s currently 1 year, 9 months old and his tail is looking better than ever

 

[RodNTN]

My roo lost ALL his tail feathers this fall and looked utterly ridiculous! He’s currently 1 year, 9 months old and his tail is looking better than ever

Poor boy! I have never seen a rooster molting in my backyard!

 

[IamRainey]

I didn't realize roos wouldn't molt. I've been looking at the gorgeous iridescent green sickle feathers on my Black Copper Marans and salivating at when he'd drop some.

 

[Relleoms]

This is Oreo, minus tail feathers, mid-September

 

[Relleoms]

And October 22!

 

[IamRainey]

What a pretty boy when he's feathered out!

 

[centrarchid]

First open his wings and look for feather replacement that occurs over almost half the year. Mine in the northern hemisphere start molt in May. The heavy part occurs starting in August. Some roosters undergo an eclipse molt that starts in July.

See thread below.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/partial-eclipse-molt-in-american-game.535707/#post-6841444


The game chickens have "hard" feathers that are more noticeable when lost. Birds like American Dominiques and the Plymouth Rocks variations are typical of breeds with "soft" feathers where tail feather replacement is harder to notice.

 

[aart]

Finding hackle and tail feathers on the roost boards.
Most mine(only had 3) have started in August.
Only had a few birds do a hard (bare naked then pin cushion) molt here,
mostly it's just seeing feathers around and they look a bit scraggly and 'smaller'....missing tails are to miss.

 

[rebrascora]

My roosters all moult quite obviously and I have various breeds both large fowl and bantams. Some of the bantams are just finishing up their head and neck, but the big boys are pretty much done now and feeling full of it!