is it normal for chickens to go through molt this time of year?

[holliewould]

Curious.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Yes, they are nuts. Some go through it smoothly and others look like trainwrecks.

 

[Heidi]

Yep, definitely the time to molt. Almost all of mine are..... and no more eggs in sight.

 

[Beekissed]

This is the only time of year mine DO moult!

 

[Jonathanq1]

my hen is also molting right now

 

[Sillystunt]

my one hen is sooo bad! i can barely contain my laughter

 

[Reinbeau]

Mine are too, I'm luck if I get four or five eggs a day out of 14 hens - then they'll surprise me with twelve! The days are shorter, too, so that cuts down on their production too. It's fine by me, they need the rest, so they can start producing again in the spring.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Quote:
Me too. She's normally the prettiest one, but right now she actually seems embarrassed that she has so many empty patches.

By the way, to someone seeing a moult for the first time, some hens stop laying eggs for the duration...

 

[holliewould]

Ahhh Ok I don't feel so bad then. One of the hens is taking care of her molt, the other one is a disaster. It's like she doesn't even care about herself. This is my first litter so I didn't know about what time of year they molted. Thank you!

 

[holliewould]

Quote:
Well they've been laying, just not everyday. Maybe 3 eggs a week. The eggs look awkward as well. Shells are thinner and the shape is freakish.