Do chickens shed?

[Tuffoldhen]

Yes, chicks growing out will molt...they don't lose as many as an adult bird will but it is a molt...It's called a Juvenile molt....

 

[Wynette]

Oh, and don't worry about them eating feathers now & then! In adults, it can be a sign that they need more protein; in juveniles, I believe it's more about figuring out what tastes good and what doesn't!

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

Mine are about the same age. They're loosing feathers too. They're just making room for their big girl feathers. The eating part. I don't know what the heck that 's all about. Mine do it too, but they seem fine.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Thanks, I'll be looking for it when my seven week olds start.

 

[speckledhen]

As chicks get in waves of adult feathers, they do these mini-molts, so yes, youngsters molt out feathers all the time. It's not the actual big molt they go through at about 18 months old, though.