Winter Molt?

[blackdog043]

I have a few that are now 10 months old, but started molting about a month ago. They are about done and have grown most of their feathers back.

 

[Cindy in PA]

This is the first year in 25 that I can remember young birds molting. My 13 are 9 months old & two (1EE & 1 Austarlorp) have been molting for the last several weeks. Since Thanksgiving I am down from 10 eggs a day to 4-6.

 

[tjb]

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

Yes with 5 hens. 3 of the 5 hens are similar... this is he first season I have had chickens so I thought it was part of the molt. Would this effect the frequency of egg laying? Also, so I need to get rid of the rooster??

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The stress of being mated repeatedly can affect laying and health. You can get rid of the rooster or separate him out. You should have more hens for a better rooster to hen ratio, although sometimes it doesn't matter as some roosters will continue to mate a select few too much.

You can also try hen saddles, but I find it's easier to manage the rooster instead of hens wearing saddles which can cause problems like rubbing, and allowing external parasites to get out of control.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

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

Work of a rooster. Picture of my hen

 

[tjb]

View attachment 1223201
Work of a rooster. Picture of my hen

Yep, that’s what I am seeing. I will definitely separate them tomorrow until we can butcher for dumplings. Thanks so much. What is a good hen to rooster ratio? I have 9 pullets in a separate pen but I am afraid they are too young to mix with the layers

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Recommended is 10-15 hens per rooster. Some can have a lower amount, like bantams, and some can be better with even more hens.

 

[tjb]

Sorry for all the questions... so if I want to keep my rooster by adding a few pullets, how old should they be before I try and integrate them? He is a beautiful EE and I wanted to mate him with my new Marans next summer for olive colored egg layers...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sorry for all the questions... so if I want to keep my rooster by adding a few pullets, how old should they be before I try and integrate them? He is a beautiful EE and I wanted to mate him with my new Marans next summer for olive colored egg layers...

I always integrate my new ones at 4-8 weeks of age. I find it easier than trying to integrate older birds who are often viewed as intruders, as opposed to chicks that are a natural addition to a flock.

How old are your pullets? What does your setup look like? The bigger the better, and the easier it will be.

 

[tjb]

I always integrate my new ones at 4-8 weeks of age. I find it easier than trying to integrate older birds who are often viewed as intruders, as opposed to chicks that are a natural addition to a flock.

How old are your pullets? What does your setup look like? The bigger the better, and the easier it will be.

I could move the hens around to correct the ratio, just want to make sure I don’t lose any of my flock...
I have a larger coop with 9 pullets from ranging from 10-20 weeks. 11.5’x13’.
1 — 21 weeks
4 — 16 weeks
3 — 12 weeks
1 — 9 weeks
1 cockerele (sapphire super blue) keeping for the blue gene

5 hens (10 months) in the smaller coop about 8’x10’ with the rooster.