what happened to her feathers?

[coyotesmommy]

Is'nt it too early for molting? Check out my chickens belly, she is not even a year old may 8 months, and all the feathers on her tummy are gone

I thought they molted in the spring after being at least a year old. The other two dont look like that and one is couple months older. hummmm

 

[chicmom]

Her belly doesn't look red or irritated.....Has she been broody? They will pick out their belly feathers when they're broody, so their skin can actually touch the eggs.....Helps keep the eggs warmer, and the feathers line the nest.....

 

[Happy Chooks]

You're gonna have a brooooooody. My last chicken that went broody plucked her belly. (they do it for skin contact on the eggs). I have 2 hens now that have plucked their bellies, but aren't broody yet.

 

[coyotesmommy]

Hummm I bet ya'll are right. But too bad I do not have a rooster

no babies for me . I do remember finding feathers in the nest but a while back and she does not stay in the coop very long after she lays. Uh oh come to think of it I have not seen one of her eggs last couple days maybe I should check the yard for a hidden nest and the rest of her feathers.

 

[coyotesmommy]

Maybe I could get some fertilized eggs from someone and see if the is brody. That would be neat.

 

[darkmatter]

Looks like broody, see this pic from earlier this year, same belly.

 

[coyotesmommy]

Quote:
ahh!!! how sweet!!

 

[ChickiKat]

I agree with broody...

 

[rancher hicks]

If your a parent you should understand.

There are plenty of time my youngn' s made me want to pull my hair out! Now it just falls out.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Here's my girl that is not broody yet:

And here's my broody that hatched 8/1