Do chickens get winter feathers?

[DogAndCat36]

My gram's horses get really really fluffy at the beginning of the winter. They practically become clouds. My chicken in their first year never molted and this year, their second, they are molting like crazy. They have been growing their feathers quickly, don't worry. I have been giving them extra protein. Are my chickens adapting to the weather or are they just molting?
I never owned chickens for this long so sorry if I am just speculating crazy talk.

 

[Callender Girl]

Most of mine have already molted, but I went out yesterday and it looked like someone had plucked one of the Easter Eggers in the coop; her sister molted weeks ago, None of mine get exceptionally fluffy in the winter -- except when they puff out their feathers as a minor threat to the ducks in the yard.

To me, it sounds like yours are just doing a regular molt. And, there are NO crazy questions when it comes to making sure your babies are okay.

 

[DogAndCat36]

Most of mine have already molted, but I went out yesterday and it looked like someone had plucked one of the Easter Eggers in the coop; her sister molted weeks ago, None of mine get exceptionally fluffy in the winter -- except when they puff out their feathers as a minor threat to the ducks in the yard.

To me, it sounds like yours are just doing a regular molt. And, there are NO crazy questions when it comes to making sure your babies are okay.

So chickens do not have winter "coats". Thank you so much!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Mine get fluffier during, or close to winter.

 

[BDutch]

It’s quit normal that chickens don't molt the first year, they do this in autumn in the second year and the years after.
Some look nearly naked loosing all feathers. Some just have a ‘light’ molt and don’t molt very visible. The new feathers wil keep them warmer. But normally chickens do this only once a year. They don’t have a spring molt gof summer feathers.

 

[MysteryChicken]

It’s quit normal that chickens don't molt the first year, they do this in autumn in the second year and the years after.
Some look nearly naked loosing all feathers. Some just have a ‘light’ molt and don’t molt very visible. The new feathers wil keep them warmer. But normally chickens do this only once a year. They don’t have a spring molt gof summer feathers.

Mine molt in late spring, early summer. They also have their fall/winter molt.

My mom's silkie molted twice this year. Once in late summer a heavy molt, & now at the end of a light molt.

Here she was during August.

There were so many feathers, it looked like a crime scene.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Chickens are constantly molting the first summer of grow out. Once grown they molt once per year. It's like a winter coat in that all the damaged feathers fall out and they have a new, undamaged coat. Harder feathers to repel weather and inner down.

 

[DogAndCat36]

Mine molt in late spring, early summer. They also have their fall/winter molt.

My mom's silkie molted twice this year. Once in late summer a heavy molt, & now at the end of a light molt.

Here she was during August.
View attachment 2411518There were so many feathers, it looked like a crime scene.

She looks you prickly!

 

[MysteryChicken]

She looks you prickly!

You should've seen her 3 days after I took this picture. She had even more pins .

 

[BDutch]

Silkies don’t count. They have no feathers.