Feathers EVERYWHERE!

[Mom 2em All]

So many grey feathers under my cypress tree...so many feathers in the coop, and in the pen. Somebody must have been snatched and carried off...
did a visual, mentally trying to figure out which chicken these must belong to...did a head count... nobody is missing.
that means- its MOLTING season!

 

[CCUK]

its MOLTING season!

Happy days....Not!!no eggs, grumpy hens and naked chikky butt's! Bless them!

 

[Pghelp]

So many grey feathers under my cypress tree...so many feathers in the coop, and in the pen. Somebody must have been snatched and carried off...
did a visual, mentally tring to figure out which chicken these must belong to...did a head count... nobody is missing.
that means- its MOLTING season!

They look so ratty and porcupinish when the new feathers sprout!

 

[aart]

Pretty early for molting.....maybe one got grabbed but got away?

 

[Mom 2em All]

Pretty early for molting.....maybe one got grabbed but got away?

not early here in Alabama... been hot for a long time!

 

[aart]

not early here in Alabama... been hot for a long time!

Molting is usually triggered by the shortening days, like in August,
not heat, tho any stress can trigger a molt.

 

[Mom 2em All]

I understand that, but I have lights in my coop, and it’s been spring here since beginning of February. Harvesting the garden, hot summer- it just seems to fit in. These are this years babies so maybe you are correct but I have feathers everywhere.

 

[aart]

These are this years babies so maybe you are correct but I have feathers everywhere.

How old are they, in weeks or months?

but I have lights in my coop

Have you shortened the duration?

 

[Mom 2em All]

How old are they, in weeks or months?
16 weeks and then I have four one year olds

Have you shortened the duration?

No our day starts at 4 am, ends at dark

 

[Mom 2em All]

Well I don’t know how I messed that up, but my answer is in there