molting

I would just let them do it on their own.

My limited understanding of a forced molt involves putting them in darkness for several days. I can see that this makes sense as a business owner, but as a backyard flock keeper, seems unnecessary.

I already cause some extra stress to the hens by supplying extra light during winter to force them to lay more eggs during winter. To cause them yet more stress by putting them in darkness for a week just seems too much, IMO.

Plus, if you allow them to molt on their own, they likely won't all molt at once, meaning you will probably still get some eggs, just fewer than normal.

 

I would let them molt on their own, it's the natural way. People only molt their birds to receive mass egg production, but it is not as healthy for the birds.

 

I just read somewhere that they withhold food and water to force molt.