Molting

[MotherOfChickens]

Molt is usually driven by length of daylight...so any time after solstice it can happen.
But in the past I've had some molt in early August and as late as December/January.
I have recently seen several references here of birds molting now,
which is earlier than I've ever seen.
I have also read about, and had here, birds molting at 8-9 months old in fall/winter.

Yes, this same bird molted at 9 months old, immediately following a really massive broodiness. She goes broody a lot but only deeply that time and this time, and both times she molted after coming out of it.

I read somewhere that being broody can sometimes trigger a molt, is that true?

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Good idea.

Winter is a lousy time for hens in the wild to raise chicks Their feathers wear out and need to be replaced. So instinctively they quit laying in the fall, molt, and get ready to raise chicks the next good weather season. We've changed that a bit with domestication as some don't wait until good weather to start laying again. Artificial lighting can mess that schedule up too. But in general adults will molt when the days get shorter.

However they can molt at other times too. That's usually because of some type of stress, not always easily identified. A couple of times I've had a broody hen molt in August while she was raising her chicks. She had finished the molt and was back to laying before the rest of the flock started molting.

She goes broody literally every 6 weeks. But both times she molted was following a really hard broodiness. Do you think that is why?

 

[Ridgerunner]

It might be a trigger to start the molt, either by itself but maybe in conjunction with something else. A lot of the time it is hard to say definitely yes or no, maybe is probably the right answer.

 

[ronott1]

Good idea.

Winter is a lousy time for hens in the wild to raise chicks Their feathers wear out and need to be replaced. So instinctively they quit laying in the fall, molt, and get ready to raise chicks the next good weather season. We've changed that a bit with domestication as some don't wait until good weather to start laying again. Artificial lighting can mess that schedule up too. But in general adults will molt when the days get shorter.

However they can molt at other times too. That's usually because of some type of stress, not always easily identified. A couple of times I've had a broody hen molt in August while she was raising her chicks. She had finished the molt and was back to laying before the rest of the flock started molting.

Age can make them molt more often too.

Since I am getting up in age myself, I can see that as being a source of stress too!

 

[aart]

maybe is probably the right answer.

Double wiggle I agree.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Chickens shed their old feathers in response to the decreased daylight hours that started happening after June 20. A 16 months old hen will likely start molting a little earlier than an older hen. Older hens often have the hardest-row-to-hoe when it comes to the molt. This should be your 16 months old hen's first adult or complete molt. Good luck.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Age can make them molt more often too.

Since I am getting up in age myself, I can see that as being a source of stress too!

Hahaha you and me both

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Chickens shed their old feathers in response to the decreased daylight hours that started happening after June 20. A 16 months old hen will likely start molting a little earlier than an older hen. Older hens often have the hardest-row-to-hoe when it comes to the molt. This should be your 16 months old hen's first adult or complete molt. Good luck.

Im glad it is starting now and not later where she will be nakie in the winter lol