Forced Molting

[brooster]

My hens are a year old, and have not molted yet as they have artificial lighting. Once this years chicks begin to lay, i want to put the older girls in a molt, they need it. How would i get them to molt ? I read to put them in the dark garage with 8 hours of light and only water, and just a little scratch each day. Sounds kinda mean not feeding them, but if that is what it takes, i will do it.

 

[Wildsky]

I was wondering about my girls the other day - they are also a year old and no molt yet - I am worried as winter isn't that far off, they can NOT molt in winter - they'll DIE, it gets way tooo cold here.

 

[DDRanch]

My 13 month old hens are just starting to moult. I am sure others will weigh in on your questions, but I am learning that chickens need even more protein and continued good food, when growing feathers than when laying eggs. It's hard on them.

Anne

 

[dancingbear]

Why not just expose them to natural daylight/dark cycles, and let nature take it's course? My chickens moult every fall, all by themselves, it's easier on them than artificially inducing a natural process.

I don't stop feeding them when they moult.

 

[brooster]

i need eggs all year long, so i want to have them molt at different times.

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
For me I just don't want my chickens losing all their feathers when the weather goes below zero - nature or not.