Feather loss?! Almost winter!

[coach723]

Most commonly birds molt yearly once they are about 18 months old. There is a huge range of normal in molting and it can vary greatly. Some birds will do an annual molt younger than that. Since they aren't machines, mother nature and their bodies dictate when and how. Usually molt is triggered by the shortening daylight hours, but illness and stress can also be triggers. I've got one that for the last two years has started molt in mid July, and I have some that are only a few weeks into molt now. Your other birds may have started and it could be a very soft molt, which can be almost unnoticeable. Or they may start later. Some birds will do such a soft molt, or even a partial molt that makes it appear they have missed molt completely some years. Sometimes the first clue is a drop in egg production, since they can't make eggs and feathers at the same time, the biggest clue is the feathers everywhere in the coop and run. Upping the protein in the diet can help them get through it, growing feathers takes a lot of protein.
https://www.wideopenpets.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-molting-chickens/

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

So will my other hens start molting as well because as of now she is the only one

No way to know until it happens. Only one of mine molted last year when it was cold.

 

[Henrybelle]

Thanks again for the info

Most commonly birds molt yearly once they are about 18 months old. There is a huge range of normal in molting and it can vary greatly. Some birds will do an annual molt younger than that. Since they aren't machines, mother nature and their bodies dictate when and how. Usually molt is triggered by the shortening daylight hours, but illness and stress can also be triggers. I've got one that for the last two years has started molt in mid July, and I have some that are only a few weeks into molt now. Your other birds may have started and it could be a very soft molt, which can be almost unnoticeable. Or they may start later. Some birds will do such a soft molt, or even a partial molt that makes it appear they have missed molt completely some years. Sometimes the first clue is a drop in egg production, since they can't make eggs and feathers at the same time, the biggest clue is the feathers everywhere in the coop and run. Upping the protein in the diet can help them get through it, growing feathers takes a lot of protein.
https://www.wideopenpets.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-molting-chickens/

You mentioned this happens once they’re 18 mos. My birds are only 8
Can they molt at this age as well? sorry I had chickens in high school but it’s been a while so I gues I’m still a little uneducated in some areas. I appreciate all the expertise

 

[coach723]

Yes, they can molt that young. When articles are written and people discuss, it's about 'averages' and what is most common. You will find that many people remark on how their birds didn't read the articles or listen to the discussions, and they do their own thing in their own way in their own time. Often times it's a process of ruling things out. If you have feather loss, no illness, no mites/lice, no feather picking or rooster damage, and you have pin feathers coming in, then it's probably going to be molt.
Here are a couple of articles that do discuss molting in younger birds.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/8-months-old-and-moulting-in-the-winter.613802/
https://www.communitychickens.com/juvenile-molting-in-chickens/

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have a few that are just starting to molt. What we consider cold isn't necessarily that cold to a hot burning chicken. Make sure to feed a higher protein ration so molting is quicker.

 

[Below frigid]

I have had them molt from 8 months to 18 months mostly in the fall but also in the middle of winter. I have quite a few molting right now.

 

[ChickenDoctor145]

I have a hen that always molts without fail at the coldest time of year. I make little sweaters for her if I feel like she's too cold. She doesn't always like it but it keeps her alive and happy. You might want to consider that if it gets really cold

 

[Henrybelle]

Thanks everybody for the helpful advice and articles!

 

[sourland]

The upside to late molts is that birds seem to refeather more rapidly when it is cold.