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Under 1 year old and molting?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by ScotianChick, Nov 10, 2011.

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  1. Nov 10, 2011 #1
    ScotianChick

    ScotianChick Chillin' With My Peeps

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    One of my pullets who was born in February seems to be going through a small molt. Her neck feathers are falling out, her tail feathers and she is flaking skin. She does appear to have mites or anything, just molting like my older chickens. What gives? I thought they weren't supposed to do that until over a year old.

    Gah, I hope they all get back on track. Only one out of 9 of my chickens is laying! I know there's been less light but it's been warm!
     
  3. Nov 10, 2011 #2
    elmo

    elmo Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Flaking skin? Hmmm. What you might be noticing are the papery sheaths covering the feather quills (the new feathers coming in). If it's actually the skin flaking, though, that would be a sign of something other than molting going on.

    All of our chickens have done mini molts in the fall of their first year, and they all hatched out in spring (May).
     
  5. Nov 10, 2011 #3
    ScotianChick

    ScotianChick Chillin' With My Peeps

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    It's not on the actual skin but it looks like dandruff haha.
     
  7. Nov 10, 2011 #4
    Judy

    Judy Moderator Staff Member

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    A partial molt around 9 months is quite common.
     
  9. Nov 10, 2011 #5
    aoxa

    aoxa Overrun With Chickens

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    Before coming into lay, an adolescent hen will go through 3 partial and one full molt.
     
  11. Nov 10, 2011 #6
    gamelife

    gamelife Chillin' With My Peeps

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    My chicks seem to always be molting. Their feathers are always being replaced by the next stage feathers as the chicks grow. Those new blood feathers can be flaky from what I've seen.
     

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