Is my chicken just molting?

[Abigailmalc1805]

Hello

My wee silkie (3 years old now) she's not lay me an egg in over 2 years for whatever reason. She's been fine the past few days and today i noticed she was so fluffed up and her bum dropped and she seemed a little unbalanced . She gave herself a good shake and loads of feathers came off - i went to give her an epsom bath and noticed SOO many pin feathers on her bum and some on her chest. Do you think this is just a molt and might explain her behaviour? when i broguht our some warm layer feed this morning - she did eat it. She's just not quite herself and i do think it probably is her laying but would like some advice?

1. Gave her an epsom bath
2. Gave her food
3. Felt her tummy and nothing feels hard
4. She was just all puffed up at her wee tree and i just picked her up and put her to her box tonight - i noticed she's still standing up and not lying down - again, there are pin feathers under her tummy
5. The other chickens haven't been mean to her or anything

Hopefully this does just sound like a molt

Abigail

 

[arianna7]

It sounds like your silkie may indeed be going through a molt, especially since you noticed a lot of pin feathers and her behavior of being fluffed up and a bit unbalanced. Molting can cause chickens to feel a bit off, as they are using energy to grow new feathers. Here are a few points to consider:

1. Molting Symptoms: It's common for chickens to become more lethargic, fluffed up, and sometimes even a bit unsteady during a molt. The loss of feathers and growth of pin feathers can be uncomfortable for them.
2. Eating and Drinking: It's a good sign that she is eating the warm layer feed. Ensure she has access to fresh water, as hydration is essential, especially during this time.
3. Behavior: If she's standing instead of lying down, it may indicate discomfort, but it could also just be her way of coping during the molt. Monitor her closely for any signs of distress.
4. Health Check: Since her tummy feels normal and she’s eating, that's reassuring. Keep an eye on her droppings and overall behavior. If you notice any changes (like lethargy, not eating, or abnormal droppings), it might be worth consulting a vet.
5. Social Dynamics: Since the other chickens aren’t being mean to her, that’s a positive sign. Sometimes, molting birds can be more vulnerable, so it's good to monitor their interactions.

Overall, it does sound like she’s likely experiencing a normal molt, but keep a close eye on her and provide her with comfort and care. If you have any doubts or if her condition worsens, don't hesitate to reach out to a veterinarian for advice.

 

[Abigailmalc1805]

It sounds like your silkie may indeed be going through a molt, especially since you noticed a lot of pin feathers and her behavior of being fluffed up and a bit unbalanced. Molting can cause chickens to feel a bit off, as they are using energy to grow new feathers. Here are a few points to consider:

1. Molting Symptoms: It's common for chickens to become more lethargic, fluffed up, and sometimes even a bit unsteady during a molt. The loss of feathers and growth of pin feathers can be uncomfortable for them.
2. Eating and Drinking: It's a good sign that she is eating the warm layer feed. Ensure she has access to fresh water, as hydration is essential, especially during this time.
3. Behavior: If she's standing instead of lying down, it may indicate discomfort, but it could also just be her way of coping during the molt. Monitor her closely for any signs of distress.
4. Health Check: Since her tummy feels normal and she’s eating, that's reassuring. Keep an eye on her droppings and overall behavior. If you notice any changes (like lethargy, not eating, or abnormal droppings), it might be worth consulting a vet.
5. Social Dynamics: Since the other chickens aren’t being mean to her, that’s a positive sign. Sometimes, molting birds can be more vulnerable, so it's good to monitor their interactions.

Overall, it does sound like she’s likely experiencing a normal molt, but keep a close eye on her and provide her with comfort and care. If you have any doubts or if her condition worsens, don't hesitate to reach out to a veterinarian for advice.

thank you so much for this! i hope it is just that , i'll keep an eye on her. we're due some cold weather here in scotland

 

[PrettyCoolChicks]

Sounds like molting to me as well.
I had a chicken start a hard molt just before a cold spell, and set up a heat plate / mama pad I normally use for chicks. She immediately snuggled up under it! Sounds like yours isn't half bald at least, but providing a warm corner may help if it freezes while she is missing feathers.

 

[Abigailmalc1805]

Sounds like molting to me as well.
I had a chicken start a hard molt just before a cold spell, and set up a heat plate / mama pad I normally use for chicks. She immediately snuggled up under it! Sounds like yours isn't half bald at least, but providing a warm corner may help if it freezes while she is missing feathers.

Did your chicken just seem 'uninterested' ? like just really meh. I know it takes so much of their energy but it's mad as she was normal yesterday and today is like a different chicken but when she shook herself - feathers came off and she's got so many pins.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

I agree, it probably is just molting

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My wee silkie (3 years old now) she's not lay me an egg in over 2 years for whatever reason. She's been fine the past few days and today i noticed she was so fluffed up and her bum dropped and she seemed a little unbalanced . She gave herself a good shake and loads of feathers came off - i went to give her an epsom bath and noticed SOO many pin feathers on her bum and some on her chest. Do you think this is just a molt and might explain her behaviour?

It does sound like she's molting.

Since she's unbalanced, I would also focus on her eating a nutritionally balanced poultry feed and being some vitamin therapy. Give her 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4 tablet B-Complex daily along with a little egg to help with the uptake of E.
Silkies seem to be more prone to neurological and balance problems, the vitamins may help. Also make sure that she can see well, if not, give her facial feathers a bit of a trim.

I would not give her a bath during molt, handling while molting can be painful and if she's not well, then a bath can be stressful and send them over the edge.

 

[PrettyCoolChicks]

Did your chicken just seem 'uninterested' ? like just really meh. I know it takes so much of their energy but it's mad as she was normal yesterday and today is like a different chicken but when she shook herself - feathers came off and she's got so many pins.

Yes, for about a week she just wanted to sit in her corner, wasn't interested in her regular food much either. She perked up when i brought scrambled egg or fish in the evening so she'd wait for me. The other chicken bothered her too so probably another reason to stay put. It's taken a couple weeks and she's not quite done but growing more active now. Still not quite back to her normal self yet.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hello

My wee silkie (3 years old now) she's not lay me an egg in over 2 years for whatever reason. She's been fine the past few days and today i noticed she was so fluffed up and her bum dropped and she seemed a little unbalanced . She gave herself a good shake and loads of feathers came off - i went to give her an epsom bath and noticed SOO many pin feathers on her bum and some on her chest. Do you think this is just a molt and might explain her behaviour? when i broguht our some warm layer feed this morning - she did eat it. She's just not quite herself and i do think it probably is her laying but would like some advice?

1. Gave her an epsom bath
2. Gave her food
3. Felt her tummy and nothing feels hard
4. She was just all puffed up at her wee tree and i just picked her up and put her to her box tonight - i noticed she's still standing up and not lying down - again, there are pin feathers under her tummy
5. The other chickens haven't been mean to her or anything

Hopefully this does just sound like a molt

Abigail

I'm not sure why she wouldn't have laid an egg in over two years, but I have a silkie that was molting for the better part of a year, and she didn't lay either. Do you have other silkies that are laying?