Molting?

[TroyerGal]

I was wondering... Can chickens molt without losing ALL their feathers? My hens aren't laying much, so i was wondering if it's molting or something.

 

[cavemanrich]

Many peeps are experiencing reduced egg production at this time. 2 factors to consider. First, and most likely are the effects of shorter daylight. That seem to coincide with many chickens going thru molt at this time. Molt can vary from light to heavy. Another thing to know about molt, it occurs at different times of the year as well. It is just very common before winter sets in.
WISHING YOU BEST..

 

[birdwrangler057]

Hello,
certain hens will molt differently. for example, my barred rocks lose almost all their feathers when molting, while my Buff Orpington slowly grows new feathers under the old ones. I couldn't agree more, cavemanrich.

 

[aart]

I was wondering... Can chickens molt without losing ALL their feathers? My hens aren't laying much, so i was wondering if it's molting or something.

Some lose them almost all at once then walk around looking like pin cushions, some stretch it out over weeks and weeks.
Could be...how old are they?

 

[birdwrangler057]

LOL, they look so funny.

 

[TroyerGal]

They were chicks in april... the others are a tiny bit older

 

[aart]

They were chicks in april... the others are a tiny bit older

Usually birds won't molt their first fall....but it's not unprecedented.
There can be many reasons they slow down or stop laying....
.......breed, nutrition, environment, stress(many possibilities).

 

[TroyerGal]

Usually birds won't molt their first fall....but it's not unprecedented.
There can be many reasons they slow down or stop laying....
.......breed, nutrition, environment, stress(many possibilities)

Thanks... I think it's prolly just weather. I'll see what happens

 

[aart]

First thing to check if you free range.
Check vents and pelvic points...and if they appear to be laying, lock em up.

Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points 2 bony points(pelvic bones) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for 3-4 days (or longer) can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.


Other things are.... protein levels...housing size......new flock additions...predator attempts.

 

[TroyerGal]

First thing to check if you free range.
Check vents and pelvic points...and if they appear to be laying, lock em up.

Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points 2 bony points(pelvic bones) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for 3-4 days (or longer) can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.


Other things are.... protein levels...housing size......new flock additions...predator attempts.

We DID just get some new flock additions... And they stress each other out. Their coop is HUGE, and they are free range (on 8 acres).