Spring molt?

[Merrilie]

I have 4 - 10 mo old girls and one became broody about 2 mos ago- staying to herself, not really socializing with the others. Now she’s out and about, talking, doing the dust bath thing, eating and drinking fine. She had lost a few feathers last week. Today it looks like a feather pillow exploded in the nesting box and she looks like a mess on her chest and behind her wings. I’m hoping this is a ‘spring’ molt- the temps are finally rising above freezing!!!!! Is this normal? Any comments would be appreciated as I am a relatively new chick Mom!!!!!

 

[sourland]

If it is just a molt, pin feathers should be showing soon. The stress of broodiness may have triggered an 'off season' molt.

 

[Merrilie]

If it is just a molt, pin feathers should be showing soon. The stress of broodiness may have triggered an 'off season' molt.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I have been dealing with 3 broodies since they started laying in September. The 3rd one who went broody was fine after I broke her & a few days later she was practically bald. First hen I ever saw molt so bad. She was 9 1/2 months or so when she did this. She's looking a lot better now. They are about 10 1/2 months old now & are Blue Wyandottes. I assume it was because she was broody, IDK.

 

[Merrilie]

I have been dealing with 3 broodies since they started laying in September. The 3rd one who went broody was fine after I broke her & a few days later she was practically bald. First hen I ever saw molt so bad. She was 9 1/2 months or so when she did this. She's looking a lot better now. They are about 10 1/2 months old now & are Blue Wyandottes. I assume it was because she was broody, IDK.

IDK either. She’s a hot mess right now, but I think it’s slowing down. I really have no idea what breed she is........