Newbie question......might be kind of dumb

[txreddirtgirl]

but what does molting have to do with egg laying? I mean, do they molt right before they lay? After? At what age? Any info on molting and egg laying will be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[KellyHM]

They stop laying while they molt. It's their bodies' natural way of taking a rest from egg laying and replenishing their feathers.

 

[Darlasmum]

Molting takes so much out of them, somethings got to give. And so egg production drops, grouchiness rises. I believe most molt in the fall, old feathers are replaced w/ new. Newer/better feathers will keep them warm thru winter. Anybody else w/ thoughts?

 

[hcppam]

good info you 2...thanks

 

[txreddirtgirl]

Awesome! Makes sense now!! Thanks!

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Folks say to start looking for a molt in September, but of course it will vary by location.

 

[cmom]

I do give my birds higher protein feed when they are molting to help them with growing in their new feathers, the only problem is that they usually don't all molt at the same time and I have had birds molt in the winter. My birds molts usually last about a month. Many times I also add vitamins with electrolytes in their water, especially, when it is hot out. They usually stop laying during their molt but can lay an egg during their molt.