/ Register


  1. Come check out hundreds of awesome coop pages (and a few that need suggestions) in our 2018 Coop Rating Project!

Do they lose ALL there feathers when they molt?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by theacw, Oct 11, 2012.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Oct 11, 2012 #1
    theacw

    theacw Songster

    426
    4
    118
    May 7, 2011
    MN
    My first molting experience.... she lost SO many feathers the first week. Probably at least half of them in just the first few days, mostly in her legs, neck, tail and back. Then, all of a sudden the next day she doesnt lose more than 5 a day. She went from 50 a day, to less than 5 a day the last 4 days or so.

    Is she eventually going to lose the rest slowly? Or do they only lose some of them? Her wings, lower back, and much of her chest is still covered pretty well. The new ones are coming in quick now too.

    Did the cold trigger a slow down in loss?

    I know this has probably been asked a million times but I have a hard time searching for what I am looking for!
     

  4. Oct 11, 2012 #2
    Creaking pines kids

    Creaking pines kids Songster

    101
    11
    101
    May 27, 2010
    NC
    Usually they gradually will lose all their feathers. Hope this helps.
     
  6. Oct 11, 2012 #3
    Happy Chooks

    Happy Chooks Moderator Staff Member

    40,137
    2,358
    566
    Jul 9, 2009
    Northern CA
    My Coop
    It really depends. Some hens go through such a minor molt that it only looks like they lost their tail feathers. Sometimes they look pretty darn naked. But most of the time, it's a gradual loss and replacement of feathers.
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by