Molting

[Grandpa Dan]

Do chickens molt during their first year? My 6 month old mixed flock has stopped laying and I can't figure out why. Weather is now cooler (they layed every day during the heat of the summer), no predators, no change in layer feed, they eat all the time especially when I let them out in the evening to free range for several hours.

 

[Judy]

There's usually a partial most during the first year. They will also slow down as the days shorten. Commercial operations leave lights on so there is a constant number of hours of daylight, but I don't remember how many hours the chickens need to keep laying regularly. I've been seeing lots of dropped feathers around for a couple of weeks, although I don't see a change in the birds.

 

[3chimama]

I believe they need 12 hours of light to lay eggs.

 

[9 Feathers Farm]

Make sure to check the birds for parasites such as mites/lice. Parasites can stress the birds and lead to decreased egg production. I only mention this because I had a similar situation, nothing changed and I couldn't figure it out (thought they were just molting).

 

[cybercat]

If combs are bright red they will be laying. You say you let them free range part day. Look for hidden nest outside of coop. I have had mine laying under coop, behind a table laying in the woods, in a bush next to a tree, under some old fencing that had vines growing on it. They will hide a nest and lay in it without making a sound. You will have to watch where they go to lay to find it.

 

[dawg53]

Hens will slow down or stop laying if there's a sudden change in temps/weather....give them a few days to adjust and they'll pick up laying again.