Do chicks molt before their first egg-laying?

[jerseygirl1]

I have 12 chicks, born June 1, no eggs yet, but they to be losing an awful lot of feathers - could they be molting before their first lay? If so, does that change their egg-laying pattern?

 

[Preservation Acres]

Yes and yes. I'm in the same spot you are. I have 3 that should be laying now, but they're moulting, and no eggs. I'm thinking that I may get nothing until the spring.

But if they want to prove me wrong, that'll be just fine.

 

[lauralou]

Chicks definitely lose feathers as a normal part of their development. I believe I have read that they "molt" 3 times before they get their adult plumage in. I've never actually counted how many times the coop is full of baby feathers...

 

[speckledhen]

It's not the BIG first molt, but they shed feathers as they get their adult plumage.