I remember the first time I watched our chickens go through their fall molt. I was so worried—I thought for sure my chickens were dying! They looked like a total mess. But after doing some research, I quickly learned that molting is a completely normal part of raising chickens. When they are chicks, chickens go through two smaller molts before their first big molt when they are 12 to 18 months old.
As the summer days get longer and lazy, the fall days get cooler and shorter. You may notice feathers all over your chicken coop. Just like leaves falling from trees, your chickens’ feathers will start to shed too.
This process can seem alarming, but its a normal part of chicken care. To help ease your worries, I’ve broken down some simple, easy-to-understand tips on how to support your flock through molting season.
Why Is My Chicken Molting? An Explanation of This Natural Process
It can be scary for a chicken owner to see their hen lose feathers all of a sudden. Most of the time, though, this is a normal process called molting. When chickens molt, they get rid of their old, worn-out feathers and grow new ones. Here’s why chickens molt and how to take care of a hen that is molting.
What Triggers Molting?
Molting is triggered by changes in daylight hours. In late summer and fall, when the days get shorter, a hen’s brain tells her to stop laying as many eggs and put her energy into growing new feathers.
Molting typically happens once per year. Most hens have their first molt around 18 months old. However, stress, nutritional deficiencies, or illness can also cause a chicken to molt outside of the normal timeframe.
What Are the Signs of Molting?
When feathers fall out, usually around the neck and head, it’s clear that something is wrong. As chickens lose their feathers, they may look rough, thin, or sagging.
hens usually lay fewer eggs or none at all while they are molting because their bodies are focused on growing new feathers. As new feathers start to grow, hens will also have small pin feathers with blood vessels inside the shaft.
Molting usually takes 4-6 weeks on average, but the timeframe can vary significantly. Some hens can take up to 20 weeks to fully regrow their feathers.
Tips for Caring for a Molting Hen
Here are some tips on caring for your flock during the molt:
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Provide extra protein. Feathers are 85% protein so increase protein levels to 18% by offering a higher protein feed.
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Add supplements. Boost vitamins and electrolytes through the water or feed.
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Control parasites. Mites and lice can thrive when feathers are sparse. Monitor for pests.
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Reduce stress. Don’t introduce new birds or make changes to housing during the molt.
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Offer shelter and warmth. Pin feathers lack protective coating so the hen may need extra shelter.
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Isolate injured birds. Pin feathers that bleed excessively may need treatment.
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Clean coop and bedding. Molting creates extra feathers and dander in the coop.
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Be patient! Molting is uncomfortable but healthy. Feathers will return in several weeks.
With some extra TLC and a little patience, your flock will return to normal after their annual molt. The new plumage will be healthy and vibrant, ready to protect your hens through the winter ahead. Monitoring for signs of stress or illness can help ensure your chickens complete their molt without complications. If you notice any behaviors that concern you, reach out to an avian veterinarian for guidance. With an understanding of the molting process, you can keep your flock happy and healthy as they renew their feathers.
Why Do Chickens Lose Feathers During Molting?
Believe it or not, chicken feathers wear out, break and lose their ability to protect your flock from harsh weather like wind, rain and snow. When days get shorter and temperatures drop, chickens are triggered to lose their old feathers and grow new ones.
Both hens and roosters molt, and while this is a natural process, you may notice them acting a bit differently. If your chickens seem less active or excited about being handled, it’s probably due to molting.
But if they seem tired or act strangely, it could be because of something else, like stress, a bad diet, or too many people, so keep an eye out.
Even though your chickens might look like they’ve been through a rough patch, molting is actually a healthy and necessary part of their life cycle. The process can last anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months and starts with the head and neck for most chickens. During this time, your chickens will likely slow down or even stop laying eggs.
Dealing with Chickens Molting
FAQ
How do you treat molting chickens?
The key nutrient that will help your flock during molting is protein. Your chicken’s feathers are actually made up of 80-85 percent of protein. When you start seeing signs of chicken molting, like losing feathers, you can switch to a complete feed with around 20% protein.
What triggers a chicken to molt?
… for their lives usually start between 15 and 18 months old and happen every year when it gets a little cooler and there are fewer hours of sunlight (Sep 13, 2024)
What months do chickens molt?
Chickens typically molt during the late summer to fall months, specifically August through November, according to Backyard Boost, Kalmbach Feeds, and My Pet Chicken. This seasonal molt is a natural process where chickens shed old feathers to make way for new, healthy plumage.