What is wrong with my chicken.

One of my 6 chickens is acting strangely.  She is loosing feathers rapidly.  Don't think it a moult as feathers coming out in chuncks even in my hands when I pick her up, and there is no sign of new feathers on skin to replace those that are coming out.  Her gait has changed as she is walking with over exaggeration like she is in pain.  The chickens are three years old and this hasn't happened before.  They are not allowed to run free over the garden so only eat what we provide.  Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

at that age I would still guess she is going through a full moult.

I have deleted your other post as it was asking exactly the same question.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

mine seem to be taking it in turns to moult - so I seem to have had birds in moult since last September/October

One of mine used to walk funny when she was moulting. She used to crouch near the ground as she was walking as if she was afraid of the sky. That's the only way I can describe it.

A moulting hen can look abjectly miserable. Try to ensure she is well protected from the wind and drafts, make sure your hens all have plenty to eat, make sure in this cold weather they have as much layers pellets as they can help themselves to throughout the day. Give them a decent vitamin supplement or poultry drink, some corn in the afternoon before bed and plenty of greens to peck at during the day. A whole cauliflower or cabbage is always a welcome treat and distraction.

Most of my 40 strong flock have been through their moult but I have one quite elderly girl who looks absolutely terrible. It must be like wearing a thin linen Summer jacket rather than a warm thick tweed overcoat. I rarely see my hens shiver but this old lady definitely is poor old girl.