Talk to me about egg cycles and molting

[littlelemon]

Is molting a seasonal thing, or is it more something that happens when the hen is at the end of her egg cycle? My hens all went through a molt last fall, and now it is August and I am starting to notice some extra feathers in the coop. I am also getting a lot less eggs. Should I expect a molt every August/September or so?

Also, how long is a hen's egg cycle? Is is a year, from spring to winter, or is it more like from molt to molt? Help me out-I am confused!

 

[bigzio]

Congrats on keepin a close eye on the flock!

Yep, the molt can vary on how serious it is for a specific bird....sometimes they are devistated and don't even want to mingle with the rest of the flock, hiding and staying away from them.

Molt can also be less serious with only tail feathers and some others, allowing them to stay with the flock with no problems....keep in mind that chickens are living beings, with all their special traits, just like us.

The molt is different for every bird....most at the end of a clutch, and that varies for every hen....hope this helps.

bigzio