Molt verb \ˈmōlt\ : to shed hair, feathers, shell, horns, or an outer layer periodically
Poof!
Chickens molt yearly, usually starting in very late summer or early fall. I’ve read that it doesn’t happen to them until they are about 18 months old, however I’m noticing it in several of our new (8-month-old) girls this year. My older girls (all about 18 months) are now molting for the first time.
During this time egg productions slows (or more likely stops) for the duration of the molt. The molt may last from 2-3 months. Or 1-2 months. Maybe. Or perhaps 2-4 months. Or could last until natural extended daylight returns in spring. (Ugh. Please tell me no!) It depends on who you ask. Which I suppose makes sense because the molts will vary wildly and may not even be noticed for some time.
If I look at our flock closely, I can tell a few of them have lost some feathers. On quick glance, or to most people, they might just look a bit messy. (Who am I kidding? As the Ladyfriend as prone to reminding me, no one thinks about our chickens quite as much as I do. They actually probably look normal to everyone else.) Anyway, my point is that unless your chicken is a fast molter you might not notice it right away.
However, some seem to lose feathers in big chunks and look pretty rough.
Oh, poor Annie. Looking roughed up!
Molting polish chickens are ridiculous looking. She initially lost some feathers in the middle of her big 'poof' just above her eyes. Now she is starting to lose it down the side of her neck. Sad, sad chicken.
Aspen has lost all her head feathers, save one.
Molt-erific aren’t they?
They look a little monstrous…which is so appropriate given Halloween being right around the corner.
Haven’t tried it yet myself, but a knowledgeable poster on our local chicken forum suggests extra protein during this time will help speed the process along.
Just went through this with my Light Sussex. After getting over the broodiness, I got eggs for a few weeks and then she started molting. Aaack! But she’s back on track now and looks gorgeous with her new feathers.
My hens look so ragged and awful right now. The Rhode Island Red has huge swaths of exposed skin on her back. They’re so miserable when they molt, too. Uncomfortable & cold. Poor things. I’m glad mine are molting earlier this year than last (by about 2 months). Last year some of the girls were nearly naked in 20-degree weather.
As for egg production, we didn’t get a single egg from December-April from 9 hens. I’m considering a light this year to encourage them to lay over the winter months. It’s hard to justify feeding 50 pounds of feed/month to a flock of slackers!
Oh gosh, they do look beat to sh*t, as a friend of mine would say. Poor things!
Our coop looks like someone had a pillow fight in it!
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We are encountering our first molt now. There are feathers everywhere!
It is absolutely unbelievable isn’t it? We only had 2 going last year full bore…and now we have 6 in various stages and 2 starting. Unbelievable!
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Well now I feel some better. I wasn’t sure what was happening with my favorite chicken, Awesome, a speckled Sussex. However her demeanor has changed too…she isn’t her usual friendly curious self … is this normal? She usually follows me and jumps at whatever I may be carrying, or pecks my toes….today, she was off to herself and acting more like a chicken instead of a puppy. She is 17 months old.
Yep, totally normal. Mine are all acting bizarre. The feather follicles are tender during the various stages of falling out/regrowth, so they generally act pretty skittish.
Now my black australorp is having the worst molt I’ve been. She looks half-plucked.
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