For the new folks that haven't experienced a molt yet.

[Happy Chooks]

They say pictures are worth a thousand words, so I thought I'd share my picture for all those new to chicken raising on what it looks like when a chicken molts.

Now keep in mind, this hen is going through a very hard molt. (she didn't molt this badly last year) She's a 2 1/2 year old Sicilian Buttercup. You can also see that her comb is shriveled up.

 

[Nonny]

My girls are visible to the whole neighbourhood (we get heaps of people walking past our yard with their kids to show them the chickens), so if this is what moulting is gonna be like I think I'll have to get a sign up when it happens so they don't call the council and report us for keeping diseased birds LOL.

Maybe something like:

"Please don't laugh at the moulting chickens - everyone has a bad hair day now and then"

 

[Happy Chooks]

Angie - I'm not sure why you can't see the pictures.

RedDrgn - She certainly doesn't like to be touched, so getting a sweater on her isn't an option. You pick her up and she feels like a porcupine. I had one girl molt last year during the worst cold snap we had in December. It was in the 20's and snow/ice around. She had very little feathers and I was concerned about her. I went out after they were roosting and found her crammed between 2 of the poofiest girls, so they were keeping her nice and toasty.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Just thought I'd update this thread. My buttercup is mostly filled back in now (and has been for several weeks). She's not yet laying again - her comb is still shriveled and she's still regrowing in some hackle feathers. She's puffed up here because it was cold here the morning I took the picture.

 

[bikerchic]

Thanks for the warning! I would have been rushing mine to the nearest vet!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Yours won't molt until next year.

I've had some go through a very mild molt at 9 months, but most of the time they don't molt until they are over a year old.

 

[Happy Chooks]

S.L.Swope :

Why does the comb shrivel?

Hens that are laying have bright, full, red combs. Hens that are not laying have dull, shriveled combs. This can be caused from molting, brooding, or sickness.​

 

[bustermommy]

So, does feeding them extra protein help them grow them back faster?

 

[Americana]

Good pix to show people who haven't seen a molt, as they would probablly totally freak!

I got a few that are almost as bad!

At least they are growing back before it gets too cold

 

[SueBaby]

Thanks for the picture! Do they molt at a certain age or is it the time of year? My girls are 25 weeks old. Will they not molt this year? I'm not seeing any signs.