I am wondering about moulting.

[freeheart227]

How long does it last and what areas will be moulted? Is this a yearly occurance?

 

[speckledhen]

The first hard molt usually comes about 18-20 months old, but I had several younger ones, about 10 months old, just go through a mini-molt, complete with cessation of laying.

 

[V Chic Chick]

It happens every year, and can last several weeks. It happens about now or slightly earlier (mine always seem to moult late for reasons unbeknownst to me). All area are moulted, and they can sometimes end up looking rather bare!

 

[HobbyChickener]

Mine are just coming out of molting and finally after a month I am starting to get some eggs again.

 

[speckledhen]

I've got em in all stages of molt. Some have finished awhile back and some have barely started and some just are pathetic-looking. Poor things!

 

[Mulemom]

Cynthia, Do you really mean 18-20 months? Mine are 23 weeks old and some are starting to moult. Is this not normal?

 

[speckledhen]

You are seeing juvie feathers replaced with adult feathers. I guarantee you arent seeing the first true molt. They go through several feather stages before the 18 month molt and that's what you're seeing.