Summer molting?

[CHISPA]

Greeting everyone. My chickens appear to be molting. This seems very unusual for late spring-early summer. We are having a bad heatwave (102-106). Normally it is high 80s mid-90s. Is anyone else experiencing the same problem? Please let me know and all suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you have any suggestions on how to stop feather nibbling?

Likely happening during roosting.
I would still give her a look over for lice/mites - it may be another hen is grooming her for bugs. It may also be just grooming her for no reason at all. Possible whoever is nibbling the feathers just has a bad habit or ....? Chickens can be weird.

For some reason I was not seeing your other replies. OK. You did have a rooster. Some of the damage is likely from him, even though he's now gone. Damaged feathers won't be replaced until molt.
BUT, I would still observe during roosting, I still think someone is nipping off feathers.

Thank you for your replies. I had a roster but it has been a month or so since he is gone. Had to put him down as he was injured since birth. He was hurting, and wasn't able to walk much. He was hurting the hens too when mounting them as he was heavy and clumsy;

Do you have a rooster?

If not, that's ok, I would say whoever is roosting beside her is nibbling her feathers. Feathers are intact, just broken/worn/nipped. She's not molting yet.

 

[Teresa D]

Could be boredom, but sometimes adding a little extra protein can help if they are eating what they nibble.

Thanks

 

[CHISPA]

Likely happening during roosting.
I would still give her a look over for lice/mites - it may be another hen is grooming her for bugs. It may also be just grooming her for no reason at all. Possible whoever is nibbling the feathers just has a bad habit or ....? Chickens can be weird.

For some reason I was not seeing your other replies. OK. You did have a rooster. Some of the damage is likely from him, even though he's now gone. Damaged feathers won't be replaced until molt.
BUT, I would still observe during roosting, I still think someone is nipping off feathers.

Thank you Wyrop

 

[CHISPA]

Thank you for the terrific ideas and possible solutions. I will keep you posted on the progress of my chiquiadas.

 

[CHISPA]

Lucky them for escaping the heat! They don’t make themselves molt, it just happens. We have one doing it now, and she seems to be doing good. I’m pretty sure it’s not some sort of sickness.

Thank you Blue Raptor. My chiquiadas seem happy and healthy other than molting. Yes, if I had that many feathers I would like to lose them in the heat!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Greeting everyone. My chickens appear to be molting. This seems very unusual for late spring-early summer. We are having a bad heatwave (102-106). Normally it is high 80s mid-90s. Is anyone else experiencing the same problem? Please let me know and all suggestions are appreciated.

Thank you Blue Raptor. My chiquiadas seem happy and healthy other than molting. Yes, if I had that many feathers I would like to lose them in the heat!

How old are they?
Can you please post some photos?
Are you in the US?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hello Wyrop Rock. Yes I am in the USA on the west coast side. I am attaching pictures of the whole flock and of the chichiada with the most molting. Picture didn't capture the molting as well as I was hoping. Any thoughts?

Do you have a rooster?

If not, that's ok, I would say whoever is roosting beside her is nibbling her feathers. Feathers are intact, just broken/worn/nipped. She's not molting yet.

If you have others that look like that, it would be a good idea to check them over for lice/mites too, but that's feather nibbling.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Do you have a rooster?

If not, that's ok, I would say whoever is roosting beside her is nibbling her feathers. Feathers are intact, just broken/worn/nipped. She's not molting yet.

If you have others that look like that, it would be a good idea to check them over for lice/mites too, but that's feather nibbling.

So if the feathers are being dropped as complete, undamaged feathers, without any blood/veins, molting is likely (but not definitely, of course) the cause? Hearing your thoughts always helps me so much.
Edited to add: As you know, here in NC, our Temps have been all over the place, but our days are long. I'm not sure what else could be causing it but I certainly don't want to dismiss it if you don't feel like I should.

 

[CHISPA]

So if the feathers are being dropped as complete, undamaged feathers, without any blood/veins, molting is likely (but not definitely, of course) the cause? Hearing your thoughts always helps me so much.
Edited to add: As you know, here in NC, our Temps have been all over the place, but our days are long. I'm not sure what else could be causing it but I certainly don't want to dismiss it if you don't feel like I should.

Thank you for info. I don't see lice. I will check again. They are dealing with selecting a new pecking order since Felix the roster has gone.