Early molting?

[Crazy Maizie]

Less daylight hours are the most likely the reason for laying stopping. During this time they may very well go through a moult. I have had chickens moulting before they are a year old.

Mine never lay during a molt. One of mine started molting early summer. She won't lay until spring as she's a brahma and that's how she has been ever since I've had her. However, some others that I have just finished molting. They are laying again, but more sporadically due to the daylight lessening.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

When did they start laying? Just wondering if my SweetPea will lay this season or wait until spring.
Usually when chickens molt they stop laying due to the energy needed to molt vs laying eggs.

At 5 months. So in July!

 

[InterestingChickens]

Mine never lay during a molt. One of mine started molting early summer. She won't lay until spring as she's a brahma and that's how she has been ever since I've had her. However, some others that I have just finished molting. They are laying again, but more sporadically due to the daylight lessening.

Some birds do lay in a moult, less frequently, only it is much less common.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Some birds do lay in a moult, less frequently, only it is much less common.

My kooky Orpington has been laying while in her molt!!

 

[Crazy Maizie]

At 5 months. So in July!

Dang they are early bloomers.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

My kooky Orpington has been laying while in her molt!!

Is it a full molt?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Some birds do lay in a moult, less frequently, only it is much less common.

I should say when my birds have a full molt, they don't lay.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Is it a full molt?

Yeah I think so? She was the first full sized hen to molt. She dropped so many feathers it looked like she got attacked by a hawk!! And then she also went broody while molting... Like I said she is the kookiest!!

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Yeah I think so? She was the first full sized hen to molt. She dropped so many feathers it looked like she got attacked by a hawk!! And then she also went broody while molting... Like I said she is the kookiest!!

That is crazy.

 

[Sbr73]

I have one who is losing feathers in the same area and it looks like pin feathers coming in. She is about 6 months old and laying. Not sure if she is my OE or Orpington. She has been like this for about 3 weeks. The other 5 are fine. It doesn’t seem anyone is pecking her, actually she picks on others. No roosters. Pics for reference.