Molting during subfreezing temps

Date sort Score sort
Marjoram

Marjoram

Chirping
6 Years
Apr 9, 2014
9
0
60
Our girls have shocked us for the second winter in a row, by waiting until the temperatures are in single digits before going into a hard molt. What would cause them to do this?? We keep the coop door closed at night to keep heat in, and if the temps stay low for long stretches we use a brooder lamp. But why on earth would they shed their down coats when they need them the most? Has anyone else experienced this?
 
Genetics is a big factor in molting, as is individual health. But another factor could be your chickens are living under artificially warmer conditions, retarding onset of molt. It may be that cold actually stimulates molt and quicker feather replacement.

Chickens really do not need their coops to be kept at temps that we prefer for our own comfort, but actually are much more comfortable with much cooler temps. Think about how warm you might prefer your own living quarters if you were wearing a down parka you couldn't remove.
 
Thank you for the reply. I may not have been clear. We don't keep the door closed or use a brooder lamp ordinarily. We let them experience open weather. Most of the time they don't even sleep in the coop--they roost in the run instead. But when several of them are essentially bare, and the temps drop to single digits, that's when we try to keep them warmer. The first year they molted in the fall, which made sense to prepare for our hard winters. But since then they have delayed molting until the bitter cold. It kind of baffles me.
 

Similar threads

Tweetledee
Is this molting behavior + hen sleeping in the egg box
Replies
5
Views
611
rosemarythyme
rosemarythyme
Deegie
    • Like
Teaching young chickens to go in the coop at night
Replies
7
Views
1K
CluckingLucky
CluckingLucky
ForFlocksSake
When is it safe for them to be outside in North Florida winter conditions?
Replies
8
Views
2K
PoppasGrill
PoppasGrill
PhantomSlayer
    • Love
EE change in behavior (Should I be concerned?)
2
Replies
11
Views
1K
GrandmaOrpington
GrandmaOrpington
ChickenLord33
    • Like
Hot summer, over 100F. Okay for chicken brooder?
Replies
5
Views
638
ChickenLord33
ChickenLord33

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom