Confused about molting

[new2chicks GBG PA]

About a month ago we noticed that our Dominiques seemed to have quite a few feathers blowing around the run and we went from getting 4 eggs a day to 1. So we thought they were going to start molting. Well over the past few days there aren't as many feathers laying around and we are back to 4 eggs a day.

Are they done molting? I feel like I missed something because we didn't have any half naked chickens running around.

I'm not sure how old they are as they were given to us but I would say they are at least 2-3 yrs old.

Could it possably be because we added new chicks to the flock? We were really surprised at how well the integration went. No pecking, and no one being mean. It only took about 2 weeks for the chicks to start roosting in the big coop at night instead of the built in brooder box.

Any input would be greatly appreciated

 

[devora]

I found this on another thread a few weeks back. I found it informative so I bookmarked it for when our start to moult.

http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html

 

[new2chicks GBG PA]

thank you for the information.

I guess it is possable then that our chickens just molt a little at a time. At least we know we didn't do anything that may have interfered with it.