I was greeted with this!

[BackyardinWales]

Shocked to see a LOT of feathers when I entered the girls run this afternoon. Is this how the place looks when one is moulting? I did a head count and all my girls are alive and accounted for.

 

[azygous]

Yes, molt looks like that. During the height of molt in my flock of fourteen, I pick up about a gallon of feathers a day.

Find the chicken that matches the color of those discarded feathers and look on the back of their neck. If you see a uniform patch of pin feathers poking through the skin, it's definitely from molt.

 

[BackyardinWales]

Thank you!! I know which hen she is as she's the only dark one running around looking lost, I wondered if she was missing her 'sister' who's broody. Have put them to bed for the night, so will try and look tomorrow. Was more relieved it wasn't a dead one.

 

[azygous]

That's what molt looks like - a slaughter.

It's normal for a chicken in molt to be stand-offish at best, and acting lethargic at worst. They feel tender and uncomfortable and may have poor appetites. I generally feed mine fish once a week during molt to help their nutrition.

 

[BackyardinWales]

That's what molt looks like - a slaughter.

It's normal for a chicken in molt to be stand-offish at best, and acting lethargic at worst. They feel tender and uncomfortable and may have poor appetites. I generally feed mine fish once a week during molt to help their nutrition.

Thank you, I will try that. It also explains why she was letting the younger ones eat the grain at bedtime. How long will this last? (Approximately)

 

[azygous]

Molt is an individual thing. Some get it over with in a month. Others drag it out for two or three. None are happy until it's finished. Including the humans.

 

[BackyardinWales]

Do they shed all their feathers? Or just some? This is all new to me.

 

[azygous]

Completely new outfit every year. There are exceptions, but this is the rule.

 

[BackyardinWales]

I did pick her up to see ... and I'd say yes, she felt like a porcupine so put her down quite quickly. Also gave them some tinned tuna. Not sure how much she got, but the plate was CLEANED lol. Thank you for your wisdom.

 

[The Birb King]

Yep that's normal. This is the time of year they molt. My coop has way more feathers on the ground right now lol every year once they are done molting I need to rake up the feathers