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

[Happy Chooks]

They say pictures are worth a thousand words, so I thought I'd share my picture for all those new to chicken raising on what it looks like when a chicken molts.

Now keep in mind, this hen is going through a very hard molt. (she didn't molt this badly last year) She's a 2 1/2 year old Sicilian Buttercup. You can also see that her comb is shriveled up.

 

[Americana]

Good pix to show people who haven't seen a molt, as they would probablly totally freak!

I got a few that are almost as bad!

At least they are growing back before it gets too cold

 

[stubbornhill]

What a great post! You're right for someone who has never seen it, this is a wonderful example. She's still cute!

 

[fshinggrl]

My chickens never looked that bad. I bet you had enough feathers laying around to make a feather pillow! Thanks for sharing.

 

[yankeedoodle300]

my hen looks like that! it MUST be a HARD molt!

 

[bustermommy]

So, does feeding them extra protein help them grow them back faster?

 

[SueBaby]

Thanks for the picture! Do they molt at a certain age or is it the time of year? My girls are 25 weeks old. Will they not molt this year? I'm not seeing any signs.

 

[SilkieBantams]

She's a beautiful girl and I've never seen a molt before so it's my first that I've seen. I wonder what new feather colors they get after molting? Like for example after they molt and get new feathers in. Will their new feathers be multi-colored like all white feathers with black specks?

 

[bikerchic]

Thanks for the warning! I would have been rushing mine to the nearest vet!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Yours won't molt until next year.

I've had some go through a very mild molt at 9 months, but most of the time they don't molt until they are over a year old.