For the new folks that haven't experienced a molt yet.

[Gifa]

While you have posted some very helpful and useful information here I am somewhat doubtful  that this one thing is true. 

My flock is not bare... And three are already past the heaviest part of their molt... Two of them have even resumed laying. So, my flock's molt backs it up.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Question for anyone that can help. One of my chickens is molting (actually I think 3 of the 4 are) and the one we noticed molting first, the other's are picking on her and won't let her on the roost. Or maybe she doesn't want to get on the roost. Either way, has anyone ever had this problem?

Pecking order can change while they are molting also. It will get back to normal when she feathers back in. If you see blood (them picking at her pin feathers) then you can apply blue kote or no pick so they can grow back in. I had a light brahma that nobody would let her have a tail again. I applied no pick and her tail feathers came in really quickly. Just don't get any on your hands or you'll look like a smurf for weeks.

Do any of your mounting chickens like you to preen them? P used to do that for my macaw and cockatiels.

Mine generally do not like to be touched when they are molting.

 

[MagsDeatrick]

You could easily have hens in particular that are not into heavy molt yet. Many breeds like my dominiques have delayed and compressed molt cycle that occurs later in the year especially when they are still in lay. I have about 1/2 dozen Dominique hens that have yet to go into heavy molt which will result in them being in poor feather during the early part of winter. That be a problem when considering my birds spend winter exposed to weather with minimal protection from wind or precipitation. More feed is required to compensate for delayed molt when it is cold.

looks like i have jinxed myself- I'm home for the week and noticed my girls looking rather scruffy- and they both stopped laying! Looks like we are into our molt. I just introduced a new hen last week, and while stressful, they've finally found peace in the hen house. I wish I hadn't caused extra stress right at molt time but they are all doing well and despite the scrufiness everyone looks healthy. It just means more BOSS for everyone!

 

[mcclucks]

Thanks for the pictures. I haven't experienced molting yet. Now I know what to expect.

 

[rainslick]

How many feathers in the coop are normal? I have black jersey giants that are almost 9 months and I am seeing both tail feathers and the smaller under fluff all over the coop. No one is showing that they have lost anything. This is my first time with the breed and I wasn't sure if this is a mild molt or if I should expect some shedding year round? They have not been laying for a month.

 

[Happy Chooks]

How many feathers in the coop are normal? I have black jersey giants that are almost 9 months and I am seeing both tail feathers and the smaller under fluff all over the coop. No one is showing that they have lost anything. This is my first time with the breed and I wasn't sure if this is a mild molt or if I should expect some shedding year round? They have not been laying for a month.

Might be a minor molt. Some of my 9 month olds molt, but usually, all you notice is their tail is missing.

When they go through a major molt, it is enough feathers to make you do a headcount. (looks like a pillow exploded) It still gets me thinking I lost one to a predator.

 

[aart]

Great thread! Just read thru the whole thing. Just got 1 rooster, 5 layers and 4 pullets about a month ago.
Knew about molting and pin feathers from cockatiels year ago, but nice to read these anecdotes.
Have lots of feathers in the coop, some are obviously molting, some not so obvious.

Roosters hackle feathers really let go this last week and his little neck is covered in pin feathers... just wanted to groom him like my cockatiels let me do.
Wonders how they can strip the feather sheaths on the backs of their necks, haven't really seen them grooming one another


If molting is triggered by shortness of days...and you are using supplemental light to keep layers going....will that supplemental light inhibit or interfere with the molting?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Great thread! Just read thru the whole thing. Just got 1 rooster, 5 layers and 4 pullets about a month ago.
Knew about molting and pin feathers from cockatiels year ago, but nice to read these anecdotes.
Have lots of feathers in the coop, some are obviously molting, some not so obvious.

Roosters hackle feathers really let go this last week and his little neck is covered in pin feathers... just wanted to groom him like my cockatiels let me do.
Wonders how they can strip the feather sheaths on the backs of their necks, haven't really seen them grooming one another


If molting is triggered by shortness of days...and you are using supplemental light to keep layers going....will that supplemental light inhibit or interfere with the molting?

They seem to work the feather sheaths off, even from their heads. I've seen the hens groom the areas they cannot reach.

I do not add light, but from what I understand from those that do, adding light does not stop the molting process. It delays it, but they will still molt.

 

[katsdar]

My Wyandotte roo is molting and I thought he looked bad but he is great compared to your girl. So why do they wait till it's cold to molt, seems like nature isn't very kind.

 

[Happy Chooks]

My hen that started this thread molted once in the middle of December in an unusually cold year. I was worried about her not being able to keep warm and went out to check on her one night and found her snuggled between the 2 fluffiest hens in the coop. She was nice and toasty. So they look after each other.