Question about Molting

[pmheishman]

We plan on getting Rhode Island Red laying hens in the Spring, which will be our first attempt at having backyard chickens. My question is about the molting process. If I buy, say 6 laying hens, and then 6 months later, buy 6 more laying hens, will the chickens go through the molting process at the same time? I was wondering if the the ages of the hens are different, then perhaps we would continue to get eggs if the chickens molt at different times.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Having hens of a staggered age may help. Age along with daylength, stressors all have an impact on molting and egg production.

 

[pmheishman]

Thanks!

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome to BYC! Usually pullets (especially of commercial egg layers like sex links or white leghorns) will lay through their first winter and molt their second. A lot of people stagger their flock by thirds like you say, getting 1/3 new chicks every spring with the assumption that those will lay through the winter while the older ones are molting, and culling the oldest 1/3 when they quit laying in the fall.

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

Hello

and Welcome to BYC! Usually pullets (especially of commercial egg layers like sex links or white leghorns) will lay through their first winter and molt their second. A lot of people stagger their flock by thirds like you say, getting 1/3 new chicks every spring with the assumption that those will lay through the winter while the older ones are molting, and culling the oldest 1/3 when they quit laying in the fall.

Kelsie is correct. As we experienced last year, our new pullets did not molt, but the hens that were over a year old did.

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to BYC