Molting

[jolheiden]

I have 52 chickens and since June 1 they have dropped their egg production down to either 5 to 11 a day. It is October 21 and they are still doing it. There are feathers everywhere. I am not for sure what happen to them. Can food do this? Our store had a sale on 18% feed and I bought a whole bunch and it seems like since I did this they went into molting mode. I have since raise it to 22% egg producting supplement and still the same. Please help me.

 

[Debbie292d]

I have 52 chickens and since June 1 they have dropped their egg production down to either 5 to 11 a day. It is October 21 and they are still doing it. There are feathers everywhere. I am not for sure what happen to them. Can food do this? Our store had a sale on 18% feed and I bought a whole bunch and it seems like since I did this they went into molting mode. I have since raise it to 22% egg producting supplement and still the same. Please help me.

Hiya, and welcome to BYC! If they're molting, they won't lay generally, and molting can take months. Food doesn't cause molting, it's the age or season usually. But giving them higher protein will help them while growing feathers back.

You may get more help if you post it here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/chicken-behaviors-and-egglaying.18/

 

[Kiki]

The feathers on the ground mean they are molting.
They're going to stop laying eggs while they molt for the winter and they'll pick back up in a few months.

 

[Jenbirdee]

hello and welcome!! my chickens are molting too..

 

[Blue Raptor]

I have 52 chickens and since June 1 they have dropped their egg production down to either 5 to 11 a day. It is October 21 and they are still doing it. There are feathers everywhere. I am not for sure what happen to them. Can food do this? Our store had a sale on 18% feed and I bought a whole bunch and it seems like since I did this they went into molting mode. I have since raise it to 22% egg producting supplement and still the same. Please help me.

Welcome to BYC!! They’ll molt their feathers and grow them all back eventually. Mine typically did it once or twice a year each. They do slow egg production during this time, but it’s normal.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Yes it's molting season, that time of year when chickens replace their old feathers, laying slows to a crawl or stops all together. They will pick back up when they are done growing in new feathers and the days begin to lengthen again.

Welcome to our community!

 

[N F C]

Hi, as others have said, it's molting and completely normal. Hang in there, they'll start up again eventually!

 

[LTAY1946]

Hello and Welcome to BYC. Glad that you have joined this poultry loving community.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[sourland]

They may still be adjusting to the change in feed. It is rather unusual for a molt to last 4 + months.