How long does molting usually last?

[Cwestlake]

I have seven hens that were hatched in mid-July of 2018. They’re going through their first adult molt (almost done) and haven’t laid a single egg in two months! They all looked moth-eaten for six or seven weeks, but no one really had any bald spots. Now their feathers are coming in and they’re getting sassy again, so I’m thinking they’ll start laying in a few more days. That said, now we are going through a pecking order re-order!

I have one pullet who hatched on 23 May of 2019 (she hasn’t laid her first egg yet) and she’s the cause of the order upset. She’s close to laying her first egg and is craaaaaaaanky! Her face turns red and she starts yelling like a teenager. In fact, she pecked my alpha on the head today! I think it shocked everyone! The alpha, Butterfly, is a Salmon Faverolle and Lily is a GLW x BLRW, so she’s a lot bigger than Butterfly. (Not that that matters to my little scrapper! She takes on all comers - and beats them down!)

In the meantime, I just sit back, watch the show, and buy Eggland’s Best for breakfast!

View attachment 1994504
Lily

Beautiful hens

 

[centrarchid]

This article has some molting info:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/feather-molt-an-in-depth-look-at-molting.74666/

I am an animal scientist, but not one that specializes in chickens or feathers, so I know how to make and record observations. That said, even though the link above is a good starting point, it has a major incorrect assertion. It states molting starts as photoperiod starts to decrease which is incorrect. I have been watching chickens for molting for most of my life and with healthy adult chicken like used in back yard settings, the molt commences in April through May. During that interval the process involves the primary and secondary flight feathers. The replacement of those flight feathers is not completed until about the same time the balance of body and tail feathers are replaced at an accelerated rate. Usually final feather replacement occurs in late fall on average. Health and reproduction investment, especially with hens can delay start of the accelerated / heavy part of molt.

 

[Cwestlake]

Thank you so much for the info!

 

[GC-Raptor]

Good morning all from California, I have a question on the molting how long does it last? Thank you!

Based upon my experience with Golden Comets and Barred Rocks, 45 and 16 months respectively. Two months is common here for a hard molt.
Out of seven hens, one finished a hard molt a couple of weeks ago. I don't expect an egg for a month after, so another two weeks.
Four are in different stages of a hard molt.
Two are in a soft molt, one Barred Rock is laying an egg or two a week. The other is a retired Golden Comet.
A soft molt can last 4 to 6 months. Some chickens will lay during a soft molt, at a reduced rate.
This hen was fully feathered a week ago. She's in a hard molt. Pics taken today. Feathers everywhere. Here's the hen that finished her molt, December 21. . During molt, November 7. . GC

 

[Cwestlake]

Based upon my experience with Golden Comets and Barred Rocks, 45 and 16 months respectively. Two months is common here for a hard molt.
Out of seven hens, one finished a hard molt a couple of weeks ago. I don't expect an egg for a month after, so another two weeks.
Four are in different stages of a hard molt.
Two are in a soft molt, one Barred Rock is laying an egg or two a week. The other is a retired Golden Comet.
A soft molt can last 4 to 6 months. Some chickens will lay during a soft molt, at a reduced rate.
This hen was fully feathered a week ago. She's in a hard molt. Pics taken today.View attachment 1994924 View attachment 1994925 Feathers everywhere. Here's the hen that finished her molt, December 21.View attachment 1994927 . During molt, November 7.View attachment 1994926. GC

Thank you so much my Speckled Sussex looks like your Barred Rock here with the molting process.. Thank you for sharing your photos during molting process

 

[GC-Raptor]

Thank you so much my Speckled Sussex looks like your Barred Rock here with the molting process.. Thank you for sharing your photos during molting process

Welcome. GC

 

[centrarchid]

I have 24 Speckled Sussex pullets from Cackle hatchery hatched May 2019. Will be watching for their molt pattern. American Dominiques follow what I described.