One year old hen issues

[1cshook]

My hens are now a year old ... some appear to be starting to molt and some are getting "broody" ... I do not want to hatch chicks, so a) is there a way to stop the broodiness and b) how long does molting normally last? I understand hens may stop laying during molting season ...

Thank you.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

Are you sure your hens are molting? Hens tend to molt in the fall so they have warm new feathers for winter. You may have mites

. Here are a few articles that should be able to help you concerning broodies: Encouraging or Discouraging Broodiness, Broody Hens

and some other articles that may help you:
Information on Molting Chickens
Mites & Lice - Treatment & Prevention