Topic of the Week - Managing Your Chickens' Molt

[BYC Project Manager]

In late summer/early fall, your coop is full of feathers, and your birds are half-naked. First, if you don't know what is happening, you might panic and wonder if they have a parasite or something attacking them but that is not the case, they are just molting and it's an entirely natural process.

This week I would like to hear your thoughts and practices on managing your chickens' molt. Specifically:

- How do you tell if they are molting or infested with parasites?
- Feed supplementation - do you change their diet in any way?
- What do you do to prepare for emergencies during molting?

For a complete list of our Topic of the Week threads, see here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive

 

[MysteryChicken]

I increase protein intake during molt. Also put hen saddles on those who need them to prevent peckers.

 

[centrarchid]

Molt of wing flight feathers in most breeds starts about 4 months prior to replacement of body and tail feathers.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Molt of wing flight feathers in most breeds starts about 4 months prior to replacement of body and tail feathers.

My silkies lose those along with body feathers. Same with some of my other birds.

 

[centrarchid]

My silkies lose those along with body feathers. Same with some of my other birds.

Feather replacement pattern will thus vary with breed.

 

[Folly's place]

I feed 20% Flock Raiser all year to everyone, and feel that most birds molt faster/ better than when I fed a 16% feed.
Right now there are some hens with bare patches, look ugly!
Mary

 

[Liz Birdlover]

I increase protein intake during molt. Also put hen saddles on those who need them to prevent peckers.

Ditto, I get the higher protein feed for my flock, it helps.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Ditto, I get the higher protein feed for my flock, it helps.

I get 22% Meat Bird feed for molting chickens. 2% more then what they're currently getting.

 

[BecaHawaii]

In late summer/early fall, your coop is full of feathers, and your birds are half-naked. First, if you don't know what is happening, you might panic and wonder if they have a parasite or something attacking them but that is not the case, they are just molting and it's an entirely natural process.

This week I would like to hear your thoughts and practices on managing your chickens' molt. Specifically:

- How do you tell if they are molting or infested with parasites?
- Feed supplementation - do you change their diet in any way?
- What do you do to prepare for emergencies during molting?

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For a complete list of our Topic of the Week threads, see here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive

Molt in my coop has a lot of feathers. So many feathers. Parasites are usually plucked feathers for my coop. I'm about to put a saddle on my coop Roo - for the first time the ladies will not leave his saddle feathers alone.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I've never had a proper molt before. Hopefully I can get some funny looking birds this year! I've been finding feathers all ober the place but no bald patches