Who's got December molters?

[Birdsong 82]

I thought it was just mine. Between the 22 of them they started last month and they ones missing feathers every day. One year they didn't go through molt till the middle of January and it was in single digits! They worried me sick that year because it was probably one of the colder years we have around here. Something about snow falling on a half naked chicken just worried me

 

[Cwestlake]

Hi all My 8 1/2 month old Speckled Sussex is molting right now and she hasn’t laid any eggs for 2 weeks now, is this normal? My other 3 hens are not molting as of yet, white leghorn, Plymouth Barred Rock and Rhode Island Red hen

 

[Cwestlake]

Hey everybody!
Who's got hens that chose the middle of winter to start molting? I have two, this is a photo of my Buff Orpington "Cement" (how she got that name, I don't know). Some of her feathers are missing because a coyote pulled them out though.
View attachment 1985457

Share yours, and don't forget to post a picture!

My Speckled Sussex hen 8 1/2 months old is molting now and for 2 weeks hasn’t laid any eggs, my other 3 hens isn’t molting as of yet though

 

[cmom]

I too recently have had some birds molt which was a surprise. I thought they all went through it a couple of months ago. I have been noticing more feathers lately and thought maybe something got one of the birds but then noticed a couple of birds with pin feathers, molting... They are all under a year old.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I have two molting, but have no pictures. I have a Silkie rooster, & a 4yr old RIR hen that are molting.

 

[aart]

Hi all My 8 1/2 month old Speckled Sussex is molting right now and she hasn’t laid any eggs for 2 weeks now, is this normal? My other 3 hens are not molting as of yet, white leghorn, Plymouth Barred Rock and Rhode Island Red hen

Sometimes pullets(under a year old) will have a partial molt their first fall/winter...so, yes, normal.

 

[Perris]

That one ugly chicken!

absolutely; she looks a complete mess! This is what she looks like normally

 

[pennyJo1960]

I do not have photos mine are now back in feathers laying again plus have young birds that have started laying

 

[tn_artist]

Helen says it is most definitely cold AND wet here and she does not appreciate it. She's the worst molt I've ever seen on my own chickens, but she's getting by. This was last week; she's turned a corner now and is looking like a stuffed animal now.

Oh! Bless her little chicken heart! Poor thing.

 

[tn_artist]

Mine are ten months old and I figured me missed it, but then...
The poor Buttercups. They started at their heads and tails, then the neck. Now, their body feathers look dull and ruffled like they are next.
A few others have lost some head, neck and tail feathers, but otherwise look like that will be it. I didn't take pictures. I feel bad for them, usually such pretty birds.