Can I force a moult?

[gritsar]

My flock is almost 16 months old. Some of the girls have been laying non-stop since they were five, six months old. It's starting to show in their overall appearance that they look a bit ragged. They need a moult.
Can I force a moult for the whole flock?
Something is nagging at the back of my brain about manipulating their light exposure to do it, but that would mean not allowing them out every day and they won't tolerate that.

 

[redhen]

Same here, my birds from last spring havent stopped laying all year either. I wonder if they have to have a molt or what to do?

 

[SpringChickens]

In commercial facilities, they will force a molt by cutting all feed WAY back. Personally, I think I would just wait until winter when they'll be molting anyway. I think reducing daylight hours significantly would do it too, but I don't think you can really get it dark enough in your coop.... At least I know you can't get it dark enough for a goat/sheep to cycle off season.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I figure a good strong moult will stop the egg laying and give the hens a break. They are due for one in two months, at 18 months, I was just hoping to speed it up a little.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I've always been told its not a good idea to force molts on the hens, cause a whole new ballgame of problems. My thoughts!!!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Thanks Tuff. I very much value your opinion. Guess me and the girls will just wait it out until the natural time for one. Eighteen months correct?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

18 months!?!?!?

Mine need a good molt too... but that means I have to wait til March!!!!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

http://www.upc-online.org/molting/60905suffer.htm

I can't get the link to come out right but this is just one of many articles about forcing molts on hens.

Oh it did come out right

Just depends on the hen, they all do not molt at the same time sometimes!!!

 

[gritsar]

Thanks for the link!
Hey! Maybe when they moult Lil' Bit will actually get more than one tail feather. She's never had but the one and it's how we tell her apart form a distance.
ETA: Just glanced over that article. Don't have to worry about me using that method. I can't withhold food from any creature. The thought of anything going hungry really saddens me. That's why all my critters and my DH are pleasantly plump.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Some of my girls went thru a "mini-moult" in the 7 to 9 month range, but it didn't stop their egg laying.