Molting... Now?

[redstars]

Is it normal for chickens to molt this time of year?
I am thinking it's getting a little cold to be without a coat.
Also how long till new feathers come in?
Thanks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Excellent questions. These sites give pretty good answers and interesting details.

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

Quick answers. Chickens normally molt when the days get shorter. It is their signal to quit laying and use the energy that was going into making eggs to make new feathers instead. In nature, they need to do their egg laying and hatching in the spring and summer when it is easier to raise chicks.

It can be anywhere between 2 and 6 months. The Mississippi State site has a good explanation on that.