Can molting bring stress to my ladies?

[speckledhen]

The first BIG molt is 18-20 months of age. Before that, there are many mini molts as they acquire adult plumage, especially around 9 months of age, I've found. That one can be almost as bad as the big one sometimes in certain birds.

 

[Ren2014]

The first BIG molt is 18-20 months of age. Before that, there are many mini molts as they acquire adult plumage, especially around 9 months of age, I've found. That one can be almost as bad as the big one sometimes in certain birds.

Thanks for posting this. Our chickens are 9 mos. old and I was certain they were going through a molt but was starting to worry after reading all of these posts.

 

[yawningreyhound]

Hi everyone! Had to chime in here, too. This is my first molt and my chickens are unknown age, but I think 2, inherited them 9/11 last year. Maybe even 3. I got on here right away when feather loss started and was put at ease that what I was witnessing was the stress from molting.

They seem to move slow like they're just plain tired. And their poops were the weirdest thing...big gloppy squirts that made me nervous, but were accompanied by no blood, so I just watched. Today EVERYONE had normal output. That nice round two color affair with the two short commas on top. Yea!!!!!

We have a joke around here now that every night when I peek in the sleeping coop to make sure everyone made it back safely I ask them What are you gals doing? and Jim always goes "Growing feathers. We're just growing feathers."

And my naked tail gal that I've worked so hard to get refeathered and had middling success has the mother of all tails growing in. It's like the thickest porcupine quill-like projection I've ever seen. The whole heart shaped tail just had not filled in. And the area right above the tail wasn't even trying. Now it's so full of pins that I don't even want to touch her. I think she might win this round. The 2nd in command hen has just always got a thing for this bird's tail. A habit established before I got them.

We haven't had a single egg since October 4.

I've offered them Feather Fixer (Nutrena, 18% protein) throughout; it's their FAVORITE food and I can count on one hand how many pint containers I've added to the feeder in 7 days, and I've continued with their Forco. They're pecking around all day, except when they're resting under their favorite juniper or lackadaisically dust bathing, so they're very interested in free range food over their feed.

We've finally relaxed, thanks to this site and all you experienced folk.

It got a little scary when they weren't trying to snatch my eggs off my plate like normal when I have breakfast with them. Or gobble up the coconut oil, or go nuts when I threw out mealworms. It's like they just don't have the excess energy to be excited about food all the time; then they'll beat feet to the juniper when a red-headed vulture soars by and I see that they are perfectly capable of moving. Fast.

Here's to a delay in bad weather. 29 degrees tonight after a day of attempted snow here in the mtns of Colorado. but the hens have the coop heated up to 37...I swear, each bird is equal to a 60-watt lightbulb according to DH. And we have 50's coming for several days. '

Hang in there, everyone!

 

[spies04]

How long can it take for them to start laying eggs again? In my situation, it could be a combination of things - we have recently dropped into the 30's and 20's in MN so it is definitely colder and many of them went through a big molt. Still coming out of that.

Our rooster looks like a science experiment because he not only is molting, he is recovering from an eye infection.

Just wondering if anyone had some input.

 

[speckledhen]

How long can it take for them to start laying eggs again? In my situation, it could be a combination of things - we have recently dropped into the 30's and 20's in MN so it is definitely colder and many of them went through a big molt. Still coming out of that.

Our rooster looks like a science experiment because he not only is molting, he is recovering from an eye infection.

Just wondering if anyone had some input.

No one can say. Depends on age, condition, etc. Can be a couple of weeks to months.

 

[rancher hicks]

In my opinions stress can bring on molt. It can also bring on an underlying illness.

In the cold weather I like to up the protein in my feed. Protein helps feather production and egg laying.

If one does not depend on eggs for other than the house, I wouldn't consider it a big deal. In this house three eggs a day is plenty, though I do like eggs for breakfast pretty often.

DW doesn't eat eggs much but bakes a lot during the Holidays'.

 

[speckledhen]

Many folks don't know this but going through a broody cycle will thrown a hen into a full-on molt-the reduced food, water and usually light, because they often sit in darker places, bring on a molt.

 

[rancher hicks]

Many folks don't know this but going through a broody cycle will thrown a hen into a full-on molt-the reduced food, water and usually light, because they often sit in darker places, bring on a molt.

I did not know that, though Big Delores looked pretty bad when she finally quit. That girl is a good momma and she must like it cuz she'll adopt anyones kids.

 

[spies04]

Great information from everyone - thank you!! I will just be patient on the ladies. I have increased some of their proteins in general. Minnesota winters can be a stress in general. Especially when we are getting 10 to 14" of snow today

 

[rancher hicks]

Great information from everyone - thank you!! I will just be patient on the ladies. I have increased some of their proteins in general. Minnesota winters can be a stress in general. Especially when we are getting 10 to 14" of snow today

You have my sympathy on the snow. I'm dreading it here in NY.

I'll offer pics of my chicken runs. They can go out in the crap weather. The plastic blocks the snow and wind, though a little snow won't hurt. Of course these are not airtight.