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

[RodNTN]

Exactly! oh, boy!

 

[TomZilla43]

I live in a "fairly" moderate weather region here in Tn, I'm curious do chickens molt in the same way without regard to the type of climate that they are exposed to?

 

[aart]

I live in a "fairly" moderate weather region here in Tn, I'm curious do chickens molt in the same way without regard to the type of climate that they are exposed to?

It's about the length of day rather than the climate.
How a chicken molts, hard/fast or soft/slow, usually depends on the individual bird.

 

[Flowerbh]

Here is my frizzles Naked Neck who molts extremely badly! Before and after a molt! But, she still lays eggs! Amazing!

 

[FHF ChickenMom]

Wow. Great pic for educational purposes. Poor girl. I have a question as well, I have three BO's, they are 17 weeks old and are dropping feathers like crazy. Are they molting already at such a young age?

 

[MageofMist]

Even though I know about the molting, both soft and hard from doing Agriculture and Animal Care in College... I'd still probably freak out a little if a hard molt suddenly happened to my silkies and possibly dust them, their nestbox and their bedding JUST to be sure it isn't mites... I am a real worrywort regarding these things.

 

[Happy Chooks]

View attachment 1140661
View attachment 1140662
Here is my frizzles Naked Neck who molts extremely badly! Before and after a molt! But, she still lays eggs! Amazing!

Oh my, poor girl! Frizzles seem to molt badly. I haven't ever had one, but I've heard from others.

Wow. Great pic for educational purposes. Poor girl. I have a question as well, I have three BO's, they are 17 weeks old and are dropping feathers like crazy. Are they molting already at such a young age?

That is a normal age for a juvenile molt. It won't be like the molts you see here.

 

[shawthorne44]

Do they like to be petted when molting? Or do ones that normally like to be petted, stop liking it? I'd worry I'd hurt them.

 

[Flowerbh]

Do they like to be petted when molting? Or do ones that normally like to be petted, stop liking it? I'd worry I'd hurt them.

No. They are uncomfortable when the new feathers are growing in. They also are a little embarrassed with their feathers gone!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Do they like to be petted when molting? Or do ones that normally like to be petted, stop liking it? I'd worry I'd hurt them.

They don't like to be handled when molting. They get grumpy, solitary and generally just want to be left alone. Hens at the top of the pecking order may appear to lose their status, but it generally comes back when their feathers grow back in and they are feeling better.