Winter Molt?

[Ash_lie]

Hello!

I have a 9 month old Easter Egger. She is my matriarch of our now only 2 chicken flock (for now!). I have noticed over the past few days feathers in the bottom of the coop, and today could see feathers just dropping off her as she went about her business. I suspect she is molting as I have thoroughly checked over her body... no mites, no lice, etc. She is my healthiest gal, and she runs the show... so I do not suspect that the other chicken who is extremely docile to be picking out her feathers. Soooo.... is molting in the first year, and molting in December normal or okay? Should I worry?

Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It isn't normal but it happens. Her age rides in between. I have a few hens still molting. It is odd but not unheard of.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

10 months Is this molting or something else??
View attachment 1223019

That looks more like rooster wearing from too much mating. I'm assuming you have a rooster.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

This is the first time I've still had birds molting into January, so must be yet again another odd year.

 

[tjb]

10 months Is this molting or something else??

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It will all depend on the feather wearing. You are in Texas so missing feathers isn't as bad this time of year, but generally it will get worse as we approach spring. Hormones will surge and production and mating will increase. Your hens will remain bareback until next fall if it reaches that point.

I personally would make a pen where you can remove the rooster for a while but he's still next to or in the coop so he can still interact. Young roosters can be vigorous in their mating. I generally see some feather wearing in my hens over the summer months. You will have to watch for rips or sores on the skin if it becomes exposed. Keeping the roosters nails and spurs trimmed can help minimize damage.

It's your choice on what to do with him. He will slow down a bit as he matures but that generally takes 2 years, so I always like giving my hens a break from any rooster that is too much.

 

[tjb]

It will all depend on the feather wearing. You are in Texas so missing feathers isn't as bad this time of year, but generally it will get worse as we approach spring. Hormones will surge and production and mating will increase. Your hens will remain bareback until next fall if it reaches that point.

I personally would make a pen where you can remove the rooster for a while but he's still next to or in the coop so he can still interact. Young roosters can be vigorous in their mating. I generally see some feather wearing in my hens over the summer months. You will have to watch for rips or sores on the skin if it becomes exposed. Keeping the roosters nails and spurs trimmed can help minimize damage.

It's your choice on what to do with him. He will slow down a bit as he matures but that generally takes 2 years, so I always like giving my hens a break from any rooster that is too much.

Thanks so much. I have a area I should be able to easily enclose for him...

 

[Ash_lie]

Not sure what is and isn't normal, but my 2 yr old EE is molting. It's been brutally cold here especially for December, she's doing well.
There are many recent threads asking the same question - I'm beginning to think it is not unusual. Technically via the calendar, winter only started about 10 days ago. Of course weatherwise, it feels like it started ages ago.
View attachment 1222500

Thank you so much for commenting and including pictures, makes me feel so much better indeed!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Okay, I separated the rooster on Monday. The easter egger had dropped down to about 1 egg every 6-7 days (normal was 2 days on 1 day off). She has not laid in over a week. Should I worry there is something else wrong or will it take some time for her to get back to normal?

When you remove a rooster, even if it's for the best it can be a bit stressful. Instincts tell them a missing bird means a predator may be around, at least that's I believe is the reason.

The drop in production could have been caused by removing the rooster or it could have been a coincident. Easter eggers will often stop and start throughout the season. If it was caused by the rooster removal production should pick up in a week or two, if it's a break it could be longer.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Not sure what is and isn't normal, but my 2 yr old EE is molting. It's been brutally cold here especially for December, she's doing well.
There are many recent threads asking the same question - I'm beginning to think it is not unusual. Technically via the calendar, winter only started about 10 days ago. Of course weatherwise, it feels like it started ages ago.