Hard Molting

[Marinefam2053]

My poor hen Olympia is looking rather ratchet these days, and she’s the first one to go through a hard molt this year. I’m just waiting for the other 7 to follow behind. She’s so tired at the end of the day, I don’t fuss with her sleeping in a nesting box.

 

[nuthatched]

So prickly, poor lady.

 

[DobieLover]

I don’t fuss with her sleeping in a nesting box.

I've done that. Most of the hens I sympathize with also hold their bowels for the night and wait until morning to relieve themselves like a broody hen.
I offer tins of sardines during the molt. It seems to help and the animal protein is good for them.

 

[HaappyHenhouse]

Poor girl! I have one who lost her last tail feather and is coming close to yours in the patchy department lol she's so small. Is it normal for the others to seem a tad grumpier with her?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is it normal for the others to seem a tad grumpier with her?

The molting bird will often be more aloof or grumpy, which means others in the flock can treat them differently as well.

 

[Tonyroo]

Mine are at the middle end of there molt. My golden laced Wyandotte has it the worst. She very patchy and her back is bare. She's been keeping away from the flock and she's the alpha hen.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Poor her. I have one in hard molt right now, but she's still in the beginning.


Completely random.... But you should enter it into the Worst/Best Molt contest! I'm sure @casportpony could help you out with the details on that.

 

[Marinefam2053]

Poor girl! I have one who lost her last tail feather and is coming close to yours in the patchy department lol she's so small. Is it normal for the others to seem a tad grumpier with her?

She’s a little bit vulnerable right now, so that pecking order shifts a little. She tends to keep her distance from the moodier hens.

 

[Marinefam2053]

Poor her. I have one in hard molt right now, but she's still in the beginning.


Completely random.... But you should enter it into the Worst/Best Molt contest! I'm sure @casportpony could help you out with the details on that.

Didn’t know there was a contest for that, lol. I’ll have to look for it.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

She’s a little bit vulnerable right now, so that pecking order shifts a little. She tends to keep her distance from the moodier hens.

You might want to separate her from the flock untill after her molt.