Do hens molt earlier or later in colder climates?

[wordgirl]

We live in Minnesota, and I'm wondering when the girls are going to molt this fall/winter.

 

[wordgirl]

Nobody?

 

[Lesa]

You know, if there is some rule of thumb on this, my chickens were not informed! Mine did a mini-molt at about 17 weeks, and from then on, it seems totally random! Including a few who went right into winter missing quite a few feathers! Didn't seem to bother them!

 

[wordgirl]

Quote:
Hmm.... The main reason I'm wondering is because I'm trying to get some new chicks next month and they won't be laying until October, but when they do I'll need to sell some hens so I won't have too many chickens. I'm worried they'll be molting and nobody will want them.

 

[BarkerChickens]

They usually don't do a full molt their first year. A mini-molt in some, bur rarely a full molt. On that note I have some that molt in September/October and two that STILL haven't molted this season!

 

[Lesa]

Do you have more than a few birds? I have never had all mine looking rough at the same time. I have 22, and at least half look great....Maybe you can part with a few earlier? Good luck!

 

[wordgirl]

I have seventeen hens, and they've already gone through their first fall (without a molt) – they are eleven months old.

Thank you Lesa, that makes me feel better. Hopefully some of the ones that look good when I need to sell are not the ones I want to keep!

 

[nikischicks]

Mine are a little over a year and I havent noticed a thing from them yet and was wondering the same thing.