Do Old Hens Still Molt?

[Aunt Angus]

I searched this site and the interwebs. Couldn't find an answer.

I have a rescue Golden Comet named Jessamine. I rescued her from the high school where I work because the FFA flock of a graduated student was being neglected. I have no exact info, but she's gotta be pretty old if the kid already graduated a few years ago.

Anyway... this is what she looks like (she's so active I couldn't get a clear shot - lol!):

She's looked like this since I got her in June. Her backside is completely bare. She did have lice and pretty bad gleet. Both of those were treated, and she lays eggs like a champ! Huuuge eggs. I mean HUGE.

She gets Bar Ale organic all flock pellet plus a few hours each day to forage in the chicken pasture. I give them fermented Scratch & Peck grower 2-3x/week. Treats (yogurt, worms, BOSS, bananas) are given maybe 1x week. Their waterers are cleaned and sanitized daily. And she wants nothing to do with my rooster!

So... do old hens still molt, or is she always going to look like she's just stepped out of the spin cycle?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They should molt every fall to winter as long as they are kept under natural light. Sex links require a lot protein in general. I might try cutting out the extras and add in some higher protein stuff and put her on a higher protein ration like a non medicated chick starter. She appears to be attempting to grow in some feathers, but she may not have the reserves to do so.

 

[Aunt Angus]

They should molt every fall to winter as long as they are kept under natural light. Sex links require a lot protein in general. I might try cutting out the extras and add in some higher protein stuff and put her on a higher protein ration like a non medicated chick starter. She appears to be attempting to grow in some feathers, but she may not have the reserves to do so.

Good to know! Thanks! I gave chick starter to the whole flock when everyone was molting last 2 months, but stopped. I can give that again and see what happens. And I don't supplement light.

I had an Orpington who didn't molt for 2 years for somereason. She finally did this year.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've read on here about some hens that won't molt. It seems to be higher production type birds from what I've seen.

Molting is triggered by light/darkness. Big producers will put birds in the dark and cut the feed consumption to trigger a molt. Not sure that's practical as a private owner.

Sex link hens can be prone to reproductive problems, and probably hormonal problems, so that may play into it.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I've read on here about some hens that won't molt. It seems to be higher production type birds from what I've seen.

Molting is triggered by light/darkness. Big producers will put birds in the dark and cut the feed consumption to trigger a molt. Not sure that's practical as a private owner.

Sex link hens can be prone to reproductive problems, and probably hormonal problems, so that may play into it.

That I did know, lol! She came to me with an Australorp who died of salpingitis. Only chicken I've lost so far (other than a shipping disaster). Her fellow rescue molted, though, just before she died last month. But she wasn't a sex link, so the differing protein needs would still make sense.

I don't really mind her looking like a hot mess. I love that chicken! She has so much personality. Makes me laugh with her goofy antics. She's also a little knock-kneed and unsteady on her feet. I thought it was illness, but vet gave her a clean bill of health. I think it's just poor genetics. It all works together to make her super unique.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Update:

Jess finally grew feathers! I switched everyone to all flock. The extra protein seemed to help! Thanks, everyone!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Update:

Jess finally grew feathers! I switched everyone to all flock. The extra protein seemed to help! Thanks, everyone!

View attachment 3020045

That's great news. I've used an all flock ration for years.

 

[Aunt Angus]

That's great news. I've used an all flock ration for years.

I didn't start using it until I got ducks, but I'm very pleased with it!