Ended Official BYC Contest—Post Your Best (Worst) Chicken Molt Pictures—Fall/Winter 2011

[Chickenmath]

I haven't laughed this hard in a long time.
The frizzle...
'nuff said...

 

[5parrots&zoo]

These pictures are so funny, one has to feel really sorry for the poor dears. And it is amazing how differently the various breeds go through their moults. Such an education....

 

[202roosterlane]

It look s like she's saying, " Can I have some privacy here?"



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[Ogress]

I thought I had a really ugly molting hen, and was just posting on the Washington thread thinking she had mange or something terrible when I noticed the contest announcement. My hen looks like a beauty queen compared to some of these entries!

The hens got caught in a squall today while they were foraging out in the orchard. Wet molting birds are very unattractive! She has more bald patches than what I had realized. I'll take a photo tomorrow. Poor bird, bald back, bald patches on her rear, and now her neck feathers are coming out!

 

[Mei&Popcorn]

umm... I have a question... do they molt because it is cold, or do they do it naturally one a year?? i live in oahu where it is warm, so i was wondering if my chickens would do this.

 

[gambit2178]

My girl Bennet...who sadly passed away two days ago!

 

[froggiesheins]

I'm sorry you lost your Bennet, so sad when that happens.....

RIP sweet one.....

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[1234duck]

gambit2178... So Sorry For Your Loss

R.I.P Bennet ( *)> and }}

~Julie~

 

[AinaWGSD]

Mei&Popcorn :

umm... I have a question... do they molt because it is cold, or do they do it naturally one a year?? i live in oahu where it is warm, so i was wondering if my chickens would do this.

No, chickens molt once a year (occasionally more) to replace damaged feathers. It just happens that they tend to do it in the fall, replacing the damaged feathers right before the cold of winter sets in (damaged feathers are not as effective for keeping warm).​

 

[stargazingmommy]

i cant stop laughing.
Myy salmon faverolle is molting. But shes not near naked. I just find a layer of feathers in their run every morning(the morons roost out in the run instead of the coop. It's completely enclosed, underground to roof of shed). She also didn't stop laying when this started. Of course she just started laying a month ago, and is still laying mini eggs.