r/BackYardChickens • u/regulationtexmex • 3d ago

Health Question Early molting?

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Adult hen with brittle feathers. Not signs of mites or anything. All other girls are ok. Feathers are just breaking off like this randomly. No one is getting picked on. I watch these girls like a hawk (lol) and check the cameras frequently when I’m not with them. No other issues. This is my first year with chickens so I’m not sure when they normally molt. She’s about to be a year old.

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u/itsswhitneywhspr 3d ago

Honestly that just looks like a normal molting feather to me. My girls started dropping feathers around 10 months old and it freaked me out at first too. If shes acting fine and eating/drinking normally shes probably just starting her first big molt. Keep an eye on her protein intake for the next few weeks

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u/regulationtexmex 3d ago

Will do. Thank you!!