Ended Official BYC Contest - Post Your Best (Worst) Chicken Molt Pictures - 2022

[Lacy Duckwing]

In the 10 years I've had chickens I've seen all sorts of molting patterns and times. Some seem to do more of a "lose one, grow one" thing and never look bad, others look like they narrowly escaped the feather plucker. Most are in between.

Some start early, some late, most in the middle. I had one that didn't have her first moult until she was 1.5 years old .... at the end of January, the coldest time of year here in Vermont. She didn't seem to suffer for it but after that she "decided" that fall was a better time.

Oh, that sucks. That has happened to me a few times. January thaw sends the birds into a molt, then it freezes back up again. It's often the hens who miss their Fall molt. Never a fun thing to deal with...

 

[cluckingheck]

She’s got no breeches!

In all the years I've watched chickens moult, I've never had one that lost leg feathers without also losing back and wing feathers!

lol, yeah, it’s s first for me. all of my post-broody hens have molted hard but maisy was the weirdest

 

[janiedoe]

She’s got no breeches!

I concede. She wins.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

She’s got no breeches!

The new top bird of the Bald Butt Society!

 

[Sally PB]

Poor Miss May...

 

[Judy Chicken Mama]

This is my poor Kermita, who in the past has always had a soft molt. I feel so bad for her. Pictures are from yesterday and today. Temps are going to drop into the 30's tonight, not sure if I should bring her in. She only has one other flockmate. I thought about wrapping the coop in a blanket or towels so it is not drafty.

 

[3KillerBs]

I thought about wrapping the coop in a blanket or towels so it is not drafty.

Don't cut off your ventilation.

If she's dry and out of the wind she should be fine.

Some of my molting birds take up sleeping in a nest box and others don't. On really cold nights I let them do it.

 

[Sc_chickengirl]

This is my poor Kermita, who in the past has always had a soft molt. I feel so bad for her. Pictures are from yesterday and today. Temps are going to drop into the 30's tonight, not sure if I should bring her in. She only has one other flockmate. I thought about wrapping the coop in a blanket or towels so it is not drafty.
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Its so painful watching them go through their molt!

 

[Judy Chicken Mama]

Its so painful watching them go through their molt!

It is! She looks so sad.

 

[Judy Chicken Mama]

Don't cut off your ventilation.

If she's dry and out of the wind she should be fine.

Some of my molting birds take up sleeping in a nest box and others don't. On really cold nights I let them do it.

Thank you! I'll add more fluff to the nesting box and try and get her and her sister to sleep there tonight.