Molting Question

[alwaystj9]

Is anyone aware of any correlation of molting and breed? Do some breeds molt more or less, for longer or shorter than others? Just curious.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think it is more individual birds, and even each year is different

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Things also change between your location (weather) and your feed. Molts can go by faster with extra protein, but timing that feed early is very difficult, and it's alright if you provide it when you notice molt instead of the start of it. There isn't any correlation with breeds and molt to my knowledge.

 

[Debbie292d]

Is anyone aware of any correlation of molting and breed? Do some breeds molt more or less, for longer or shorter than others? Just curious.

That's actually a great question I've never heard asked!

To my knowledge, as well, it has nothing to do with the breed. But some hens seem to molt harder and longer than others.

I have two silkie hens of around 30 that lost nearly every feather and took about a year to get back to normal. My other ones get through it much faster and only lose half their feathers.

They are already on high protein feed (20%), so I don't give them anything more or less. They do get scrambled eggs about once a week, and those are high-protein so maybe help. I just don't want to overdo it.