Do chickens molt in the winter (cold/wet) weather?

[Reschimnee]

I have 4 chickens, and they have all been very happy and laying every day. Now I’m only getting 3 a day and I noticed one chicken is losing feather on her head and neck and has an odd smell. No bugs that I’ve seen, no scabs or indication of the others pecking at her. We’ve recently had colder weather and I keep the coop maintained. All suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[aart]

How old are your birds?
Even pullets(female birds under a year old) can have a partial molt their first fall/winter and it is usually around the head and neck.
The odd smell could be of concern, she smells differently than the other birds?
Any other symptoms like watery eyes/nose?

Knowing about your coop and run, dimensions and pics(inside and out), might help offer clues here.

Oh, and Welcome to BYC! @Reschimnee
Thanks for adding your location!

 

[SueT]

Yes they molt in cold weather. Every year my poor hens lose tons of feathers when the weather gets cold, and stand around shivering. Somehow they survive it and grow in lovely new feathers.
It's universal, take a look at the thread on 'show us your worst molt photos'
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...st-your-best-worst-chicken-molt-pics.1334957/

 

[Reschimnee]

How old are your birds?
Even pullets(female birds under a year old) can have a partial molt their first fall/winter and it is usually around the head and neck.
The odd smell could be of concern, she smells differently than the other birds?
Any other symptoms like watery eyes/nose?

Knowing about your coop and run, dimensions and pics(inside and out), might help offer clues here.

Oh, and Welcome to BYC! @Reschimnee
Thanks for adding your location!

I’m not certain with how old they are. I adopted them a couple of months ago from my neighbor. I don’t think they are a year old though, because she raised them from chicks I think in the spring. I will get some pics to post later.

 

[SueT]

Pullets definitely can molt and thus stop laying. My 2017 pullets did, and when I reported it on BYC, a lot of people replied that their pullets were molting as well.

 

[Reschimnee]

I’m not certain with how old they are. I adopted them a couple of months ago from my neighbor. I don’t think they are a year old though, because she raised them from chicks I think in the spring. I will get some pics to post later.

 

[Reschimnee]

Yes they molt in cold weather. Every year my poor hens lose tons of feathers when the weather gets cold, and stand around shivering. Somehow they survive it and grow in lovely new feathers.
It's universal, take a look at the thread on 'show us your worst molt photos'
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...st-your-best-worst-chicken-molt-pics.1334957/

Did yours start around the head and neck? Thank you for the link.

 

[SueT]

Did yours start around the head and neck? Thank you for the link.

I have had some start around head and neck, take a look at all the photos in that thread and you'll see a lot of molt patterns.

 

[featherhead007]

Welcome. Yes molting happens at the worst times! I have a hen in the house right now with me, A barred rock who lost 90% of her feathers.. very bad molt!

 

[harmonyp]

The "odd" smell is concerning. Can you describe in more detail?