Spring Molt?

[heatherlaw]

My BCM seems to have an obsession with molting. Last year she molted in the spring and again in the fall. This year she has done the same thing. Is this a nutritional issue? Is she just weird? Any idea what would cause this? I’ve been keeping chickens for a while but have never seen this before. She is the only one of my flock of 9 that does this.

 

[centrarchid]

Show a picture of the current feather loss pattern.

 

[RWise]

I have had a hen molt early, out of season. She was attacked by the dog next door, so it could be stress,,,

 

[aart]

How old is she?
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Have you checked for external parasites?

 

[heatherlaw]

Well I haven’t had time to get a decent picture yet but its basically your standard ugly molt. Old feathers missing in patches all over with new growing. Just like a normal molt it started around her neck and worked its way to her bum. Stress seems unlikely because this is the second year in a row she has done this and she hasn’t been stressed by anything that I know of. Because we live in the middle of town we don’t see anything scarier than cats which my chickens have pretty much trained not to come in the yard. I already ruled out worms and parasites. I feed a corn and soy free layer feed with calcium available at all times plus they get garden/veggie scraps and BOSS daily. We let them out to free range the yard about once a week.

 

[heatherlaw]

Oh, and she is almost 3 years old. She has always been one of the healthiest hens. None of the others have done this. All are the same age except a couple of 1 year olds and we do not keep a rooster (city laws dont allow them). They have plenty of space and always have access to clean, fresh water with the occasional dose of ACV. If you need any more info just ask.

 

[centrarchid]

Description not standard.

 

[RWise]

Maybe her clock is off,,,,