2yo hen molting...forever?

[WannabeHomsteader]

Hi all, I have 2 ISA browns from a free-range commercial operation. When I got them (back then, there were 4 of them) in August 2024, they all went through a bit of a stress molt due to moving, then started a "regular" molt around November 2024. One of these hens is STILL molting, missing feathers on the front of her neck, over her crop, and around her tail. Many of her wing feathers still look "shabby" like they've not been replaced. I have checked for mites and seen none. Her "sister" (raised together, same age and breed) is fully feathered and healthy. No signs of bullying. Both have laid eggs consistently through the molt and winter (which did not surprise me since they are ISA browns). She has looked like this for months now.

If it helps, I feed them a crumble layer feed (I think it's DuMor 16% protein) along with free choice oyster shell, grit, occasional kitchen scraps and mealworms.

Is she gonna molt forever?

 

[nuthatched]

Looks like she's getting picked or having a hard time growing feathers back. I'd feed them some feather fixer or chick feed for a few months.

 

[WannabeHomsteader]

Looks like she's getting picked or having a hard time growing feathers back. I'd feed them some feather fixer or chick feed for a few months.

Well, it's just her and one other hen together, so there's only ONE possible picking culprit. And I haven't ever seen any picking happen in person, they seem to get along fine. I have chick feed on hand, is it okay to give to both of them?

 

[nuthatched]

Well, it's just her and one other hen together, so there's only ONE possible picking culprit. And I haven't ever seen any picking happen in person, they seem to get along fine. I have chick feed on hand, is it okay to give to both of them?

Sure, chick feed is better for them as long as they have access to calcium

 

[WannabeHomsteader]

@nuthatched

If this were your hen, would you look at her and think "molting"? I'm trying to rule out any other causes, because I've never heard of a bird molting so slowly. I've seen an old thread where someone had a similar issue and it turned out to be tapeworm (I haven't seen any signs of worms, but I've also never dewormed my flock). I've also learned today that depluming mites exist (I've only looked for lice and more common mites).

She seems healthy otherwise, happy to forage and pester my (separated) pullets on occasion. And the fact that my other ISA is fine makes me think it's not a shared issue like parasites.

Also, thank you for your help.

 

[nuthatched]

@nuthatched

If this were your hen, would you look at her and think "molting"? I'm trying to rule out any other causes, because I've never heard of a bird molting so slowly. I've seen an old thread where someone had a similar issue and it turned out to be tapeworm (I haven't seen any signs of worms, but I've also never dewormed my flock). I've also learned today that depluming mites exist (I've only looked for lice and more common mites).

She seems healthy otherwise, happy to forage and pester my (separated) pullets on occasion. And the fact that my other ISA is fine makes me think it's not a shared issue like parasites. Thoughts?

Also, thank you for your help.

Where the molting is, I'd consider she's being picked by someone else. I dint think it's molting or mites

 

[gimmie birdies]

save your pics enter them in the molting pic contest.

 

[WannabeHomsteader]

save your pics enter them in the molting pic contest.

feels like cheating if it's not molting lol

but if it WAS molting, maybe she'd get an award for "Laziest Molt-er Ever". It's been almost a whole year.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Molting chickens often benefit from a higher protein feed as they regrow their feathers. Maybe consider putting them on a 20% feed for a while. 16% is pretty low during molt.

 

[microchick]

Only thing I can think of is mites. A couple drops of Ivermectin liquid might help if she is dealing with parasites like mites or lice. You'd have to treat the whole flock though.

You can also increase protein by giving them chopped hard boiled eggs (shell and all for a boost in calcium, score score) or a can of tuna.

Poor baby. I have a Fayoumi hen who is going into molt early and has one lone feather sticking out of her tail I have to contain my self to not reach out and pull it out when she isn't looking. Looks so totally silly at this moment.