![]() ![]() Molting is typically a matter of genetics. Replacement feathers: new feathers begin to grow in shortly after the old feathers are shedįeathers from a molting hen Hard Molt Versus Soft Molt.Late molting hens: chickens lose primary feathers in groups of two or more feathers, and early molters lose feathers individually.Wings: hens lose primary flight feathers before secondary flights feathers.Some of my chickens only lose feathers on their head, back, and breast. After the head and neck, the feathers on the saddle, back, breast, abdomen, wings, and the tail are affected. The molt always occurs in the same pattern. While some hens molt all at once, others molt in a less noticeable event and you may not realize your hens are molting. The loss of feathers continues down the chicken’s body until it reaches the tail. Chickens usually start molting on their heads. The age across our flock varies as some are just one year old while others are enjoying retirement.Ĭhickens typically stop laying eggs if they’re molting as it takes energy and protein intake to grow new feathers. While some of my hens go through a hard molt, others hardly lose any feathers at all. I have a silver-laced Wyandotte that goes through a hard molt every year and loses a lot of her feathers. All of these feathers are replaced by new ones just in time for winter. Your birds shed old, broken, and dirty feathers. This shedding period takes about seven weeks to complete, but I’ve seen it take as long as eight weeks. Molting most frequently happens in the fall as daylight hours shorten. ![]() Let’s dive into molting and what you need to know. So with that in mind, extra protein is what your birds need during their molt. Feathers are high in protein – between 80 – 90%. Some chickens may look naked (or bullied), and new chicken keepers need to differentiate between molting, feather picking, and parasites. Molting can also occur when chickens have a diet that’s low in protein. It usually happens in the fall and is the process by which chickens’ bodies prepare for the colder winter months. What is molting? Molting is when chickens lose their feathers and replace them with new feathers. All the chickens looked okay, but a few chickens were missing feathers. I immediately thought two of our hens got in a fight overnight and panicked. A few years ago, I opened up the back of the chicken coop and found feathers everywhere. ![]()
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