??Molting in the Winter???

[DouglasPeeps]

Do chickens generally molt in the winter? 2 of my chickens have started molting, or I think they are molting. Poor things are losing feathers like crazy. Pretty sure it is molting and not pickin' because when I have held them, their feathers come out just from petting them.

My chickens will be a year old in February. So, this would be their first molt. Any suggestions would be great!

 

[gritsar]

Mine are going thru it right now. I've upped their protein intake to help them get new feathers before it gets too much colder.
The way I understand it, at 7 to 8 months old it's considered a mini-moult. The full blown moult will come around 18 months old.

 

[DouglasPeeps]

How have your upped their protein? I would love to know what you are giving them.

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[gritsar]

Black oil sunflower seeds and chopped hard boiled eggs.

 

[bigzio]

Yep, the feathers laying around would indicate the molt is going on. It is prolly a good idea to provide a good secure draft free enviornment with proper ventilation to avoid the chance of the flock becoming chilled.

I hang a heat lamp over the roost, high enough so the flock can't come in contact with, but low enough to make a difference.

bigzio

 

[DouglasPeeps]

Quote:
Thank you! I can do that.

 

[DouglasPeeps]

Quote:
Thank you for your reply! I am glad to know that I was thinking along these lines. I have the heat lamp in place, but just haven't turned it on since last winter. I will watch them closely as we anticipate another storm.