Molting.. how long does it take???

[ladybug99]

Ok here we are the first week in October and the chickens decide they are going to molt... They look terrible, almost neglected poor things!!! how long will it take for them to grow back thier feathers?? Will they be fully feathered by winter time... if not do I need to provide a heating lamp when it gets cold???

 

[Ridgerunner]

Two to five months. These together will explain it.

Mississippi State describes molting
http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html

Kansas State feather loss
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/mf2308.pdf

Do you need to provide heat because of the molting? Not really.

 

[ladybug99]

It is not news I want to hear.. bald chickens in the winter .. it just ain't right.....