Question about Molting

[Teila]

Howdy CherylNJ

Yes, it is normal for some chickens.

My first experience with a hard moult, I went to work and Dusty looked OK, I came home to black feathers everywhere and this:



I thought something had attacked her also as she was hiding under the coop and very miserable. I picked her up to check her out and she did not like that one bit. During the moult they can get miserable and those pins feathers are very sensitive so lots of TLC, increased protein and no touching

 

[Barred Rock Boy]

What month do they usually start molting? And, how to you force a molt.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What month do they usually start molting? And, how to you force a molt.

Molting season usually starts about late July at the earliest and some don't start molting until December. Forcing a molt requires withholding feed and any light, a cruel practice used by large producers. I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[Barred Rock Boy]

Thanks, that was really helpful.