what is molting? And can it happen before they even start laying?

[j-me]

I have 4orps and 4slw they are 28 weeks today.
We are getting 1 egg a day and there are 2 hens with big bright red wattles. And I know any day we should be getting more eggs.
Today I went to give them some cracked corn and noticed one of my SLW had a patch of feather missing near her tail. What's up? It this molting? And can they molt before they lay?

We added a light in the coop for 4a.m.-8a.m. to add some daylight to maybe get them to lay.

I am getting inpatient...

HELP

 

[Chickenmaven]

I would guess that you have a rooster that has taken interest in this one hen...

 

[j-me]

NO rooster!

Hey, I am in Grand haven... where are you..?
Fellow michigander

 

[Ridgerunner]

This site describes molting. It may help.

Mississippi State describes molting
http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html

This site also talks about molting, among other possible causes of feather loss. Note that they can molt two times before they start to lay, and that's after they have feathered out.

Kansas State feather loss
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/mf2308.pdf

 

[patandchickens]

That seems much too old to me for a juvenile molt; be worth keeping a CLOSE eye on them for any indications of picking...

GOod luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[juliawitt]

I was very glad to read those articles. My little girls are around 12 weeks old and I have feathers everywhere. There is no pecking....everyone seems to be happy with everybody. I was getting worried about all those feathers laying around. No eating of feathers and no bald patches, just alot of loose feathers laying around. I have been giving yougurt, cheese and a little bit of catfood for protein in addition to their pellets...I'm just not going to worry now.