pullets in molt

[debp]

My pullets (5 different common breeds) are 8 months old yesterday. All or almost all of them started laying in late August/early September, when they were about 5 mo. old. Over the last 2 month, however, they are laying at about 40-50% and at least 5 of the 18 have gone into molt - some quite a severe molt. I had been suspecting my new feed that I started in September was the culprit, but a friend I gave 3 of the pullets to at 12 weeks age has one of hers in full-on molt now, too, and she feeds a standard commercial layer mix.

Isn't it unusual for pullets to go through a hard molt at 8 months age? Is there anything that could cause this besides feed? This is my 3rd batch of chickens and I have seen only 1 bird go into a hard molt in its first winter - until now. My older chickens are also molting pretty hard this fall.

 

[Ohmyheart]

My poulets are 9 months and one of my EE and my OEGH are also molting. I thought it was weird too.

 

[AlleysChicks]

Same boat. Mine were hatched in April 2017 and 1 is laying, 1 is brooding 4 chicks and the rest are molting

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

My pullets had hard molts too.

 

[aart]

It's not the norm, but certainly not unprecedented.
I've had a 9mo do a full molt...thankfully not this year.

 

[debp]

To have so many going into a molt - almost a third of them so far - just has me a little worried.

 

[Ridgerunner]

One very important word is "can". It doesn't mean always, it just means it is possible. I hope I don't come across as being a smart aleck saying it that way.

Pullets can skip the molt their first fall/winter and continue laying through the winter and all the next year until they go through a full adult molt. Pullets can go through a full adult molt their first fall/winter. You don't get guarantees with animals. Some are going to molt their first year, some won't. It doesn't mean you did or did not do something. That's just the way it is.

I don't know why it's worse this year than normal. Some hatches I get 3/4 males, other hatches I get 3/4 female. I don't know why, it's just the way it is. It's possible for stress to help trigger a molt. That stress could come from anywhere, not necessarily something you did. Sometimes the odds just catch up with you.

 

[SueT]

My 6 April pullets are all molting heavily too! Previous 2 batches did not molt at this age....or at least it wasn't noticeable and they didn't stop laying, but these have, completely.
I am looking at where you all live....CO, AR, OH, and me in MO.
Climate?

 

[TheResidentialFarm]

I'm in WI and have 5 out of 6 10-month old pullets molting. Some harder than others.

 

[debp]

This is reassuring. I suppose it could be the switch up in my feed, or the coyote attacks in August and September that provided some stress. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experience, and especially Ridgerunner, for putting this in perspective and letting me know its not necessarily a sign of a management problem.