How long do chickens molt for and what does it look like?

[Evelyn's Mom]

I had a broody this summer that molted after and there were feathers everywhere all at once! It's kind of startling!
Not to hijack the post ( but a related question!) If I had a broody hen this summer and she molted after, will she molt again this fall? It was kind of a "soft" molt, she didn't lose all her feathers....

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thank you! Thanks for the spelling help too! Haha!

Not a problem. I have been guilty of misspelling Orpington many years ago. (where did that H come from?)
I'm a stickler on spelling so I'm quick to help people on that.
Breeds of interest to me are Penedesenca and Empordanesa. Try those on for size.
Commonly misspelled breeds are Ameraucana and Araucana.

Thanks! Does the protein help them molt faster or something??

I don't think it changes the rate of feather loss. That is mostly genetic.
It affects regrowth. Feathers are 93% protein, so a complementary array of essential amino acids in feed intake will help build a new winter coat faster. Or perhaps, more accurately, a dearth of crude protein and especially the essential amino acids of arginine and methionine can negatively affect feather regrowth and can actually cause feather weight and length to be decreased from optimal. A poor mix of amino acids in the crude protein values can result in poor feather cover.
In birds, feather growth is maintained as much as possible at the expense of body growth so protein content in feed less than optimal for body maintenance can negatively affect other systems like disease resistance for example.

 

[pennyJo1960]

she may wait to molt next summer or fall

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I had a broody this summer that molted after and there were feathers everywhere all at once! It's kind of startling!
Not to hijack the post ( but a related question!) If I had a broody hen this summer and she molted after, will she molt again this fall? It was kind of a "soft" molt, she didn't lose all her feathers....

She may but not likely. I sometimes force molt birds in mid summer for various reasons and they don't molt again in fall.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Every chicken molts according to their own genetic makeup. I've had hens that looked like they have been plucked the molting is so severe, and others that only lost a few feathers it seemed. Always be sure the birds have lots of protein in their diet, minimal corn, lots of clean water and they will come through it fine!

 

[guardianoftheflock]

I had a broody this summer that molted after and there were feathers everywhere all at once! It's kind of startling!
Not to hijack the post ( but a related question!) If I had a broody hen this summer and she molted after, will she molt again this fall? It was kind of a "soft" molt, she didn't lose all her feathers....

You're not hijacking! Hahaha!

 

[guardianoftheflock]

Not a problem. I have been guilty of misspelling Orpington many years ago. (where did that H come from?)
I'm a stickler on spelling so I'm quick to help people on that.
Breeds of interest to me are Penedesenca and Empordanesa. Try those on for size.
Commonly misspelled breeds are Ameraucana and Araucana.


I don't think it changes the rate of feather loss. That is mostly genetic.
It affects regrowth. Feathers are 93% protein, so a complementary array of essential amino acids in feed intake will help build a new winter coat faster. Or perhaps, more accurately, a dearth of crude protein and especially the essential amino acids of arginine and methionine can negatively affect feather regrowth and can actually cause feather weight and length to be decreased from optimal. A poor mix of amino acids in the crude protein values can result in poor feather cover.
In birds, feather growth is maintained as much as possible at the expense of body growth so protein content in feed less than optimal for body maintenance can negatively affect other systems like disease resistance for example.

Thanks!

 

[guardianoftheflock]

Every chicken molts according to their own genetic makeup. I've had hens that looked like they have been plucked the molting is so severe, and others that only lost a few feathers it seemed. Always be sure the birds have lots of protein in their diet, minimal corn, lots of clean water and they will come through it fine!

Thank you for your reply!

 

[Peppercorngal]

My oldest hen, Myrtle Mae just started her molt. She looks horrible already , I hope she doesn't take too long to get it over with. Out of 29 hens, she is the only one in molt right now. Go Figure!

 

[guardianoftheflock]

My oldest hen, Myrtle Mae just started her molt. She looks horrible already , I hope she doesn't take too long to get it over with. Out of 29 hens, she is the only one in molt right now. Go Figure!
View attachment 1545977

Wow! 1 out of 29!