Bad molting or is my chicken sick?

[Rosieciancio]

Hi!
I am new to chickens. We have had ours about a year and a half, when they last molted they never really grew their feathers back, I was concerned but they were acting normal and laying a ton of eggs. We have checked for bugs and actually added two more to our flock shortly after we got our first 5, and the two new ones never lost any feathers (making me think it’s not mites, etc.). They are starting to molt again, last night when I went to check on them, I noticed one was sleeping in the nesting box, which she never does, and lots of feathers lost on her wings. They have a blueish tint (almost looks like mold to me). I am very stumped at this point and was wondering if anyone has experienced this or has advice. We keep the coop very clean, and they are let outside to free range in our backyard everyday. We recently got ducks, but they don’t even interact or have an interest in the chickens. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

 

[Squawkers]

I really don’t know what that is, but I’m pretty sure the chicken isn’t just molting. That looks kinda like bruising? Do you have a rooster?

 

[Rosieciancio]

We do not have a rooster; this is the first time I have noticed it and none of the others have it.

 

[Squawkers]

Ok, I thought it maybe was from a rooster being too rough while mating. I’m sorry, I don’t know what could be wrong. I’m sure somebody else does though! And welcome to BYC!!!

 

[SmiYa0126]

It's bruised. How does she feel weight wise?

 

[Perris]

They are starting to molt again, last night when I went to check on them, I noticed one was sleeping in the nesting box, which she never does, and lots of feathers lost on her wings. They have a blueish tint (almost looks like mold to me).

I see pin feathers, and her skin will be very sensitive at this time. That's why she's hiding in the nest box, to try to minimise physical contact with anyone. I do not think the colour is worrisome, nor any mould. The blood flow to the follicles increases during moulting (and the general blood volume does, so make sure there's plenty of fresh clean water available) and there are other body refurbishment processes ongoing. So just give her lots of space, peace, good food with plenty of animal/ fish/ insect / dairy protein, which will also probably have all the micronutrients she needs to rebuild her body for the year ahead. The quality of the food she gets now will determine the quality of her plumage for the whole year ahead, so a little investment now pays dividends from here to the end 2025.

 

[Rosieciancio]

I see pin feathers, and her skin will be very sensitive at this time. That's why she's hiding in the nest box, to try to minimise physical contact with anyone. I do not think the colour is worrisome, nor any mould. The blood flow to the follicles increases during moulting (and the general blood volume does, so make sure there's plenty of fresh clean water available) and there are other body refurbishment processes ongoing. So just give her lots of space, peace, good food with plenty of animal/ fish/ insect / dairy protein, which will also probably have all the micronutrients she needs to rebuild her body for the year ahead. The quality of the food she gets now will determine the quality of her plumage for the whole year ahead, so a little investment now pays dividends from here to the end 2025.

Wow thank you! Do you have any recommendations for best food to give in terms of animal/ fish/ insect / dairy protein? We just give them chicken feed.

 

[Perris]

My regulars are tinned sardines (usually in oil, but tomato sauce and brine are also fine; it's the fish that matters, not the adjunct), live mealworms (running a little mealworm farm is easy and costs next to nothing), and plain natural yogurt.

It is illegal to give table scraps here, but that was traditional practice and still is in much of the world, and might be here again soon, so if it's allowed where you are, you could let them have the meat scraps from your table. They will pick bones clean, for example.

 

[Rosieciancio]

My regulars are tinned sardines (usually in oil, but tomato sauce and brine are also fine; it's the fish that matters, not the adjunct), live mealworms (running a little mealworm farm is easy and costs next to nothing), and plain natural yogurt.

It is illegal to give table scraps here, but that was traditional practice and still is in much of the world, and might be here again soon, so if it's allowed where you are, you could let them have the meat scraps from your table. They will pick bones clean, for example.

Amazing, thank you so much!

 

[Squawkers]

My regulars are tinned sardines (usually in oil, but tomato sauce and brine are also fine; it's the fish that matters, not the adjunct), live mealworms (running a little mealworm farm is easy and costs next to nothing), and plain natural yogurt.

It is illegal to give table scraps here, but that was traditional practice and still is in much of the world, and might be here again soon, so if it's allowed where you are, you could let them have the meat scraps from your table. They will pick bones clean, for example.

Just curious, why is it illegal? That, in my opinion, is absolutely ridiculous, but I'm sure there is a reason?