First major molt

[Backyard Buddies]

My EE, who is nearly 17 months old, has begun her first major molt. At least, I'm assuming this is what it's going to be. She has had a couple of other molts previously - one that ran from mid-November to late December when she was 8 months old. She then resumed laying for 6 weeks, then molted a little more for 3 weeks before laying normally, until now. She laid her last egg on August 3rd and now there are feathers everywhere! She never had bald patches with the other molts, simply thinned everywhere.

What is your experience with the first major molt? How long did it last and how long did it take for your hen to resume laying?

My other two girls (RIRs) are the same age and I'm wondering how long it's going to take for them to follow suit. And, when it does, I'm going to be begging other So. Cal folks to sell me some eggs!

 

[chickonaroost]

That's a good question and not to steal your thread, but I have 18 month old hens who have never molted. When will they??

 

[Backyard Buddies]

My other two haven't molted either, other than the short-lived and minor loss of feathers that they naturally do. My understanding is that the first major molt occurs when they're about 18 months of age. So, I'm thinking it's probably going to happen soon for your girls and my other two as well.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

Quote:
Thought I'd bump this thread. I'm still hoping to hear your experiences.

 

[silkiechicken]

Every bird is a bit different with moult. Generally I find mine do a heavy molt about two years old in the beginning of summer. In between they do partial molts around winter and spring time. Some of my birds you can tell they are in molt because they look like pin cushions, others you can barely tell unless you pick them up.

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

Check this out:

http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html

 

[devora]

That site is great! Very informative. Thanks for putting it in.