WHAT IS MOLTING and what happens for how long?

[chickie<3]

I see a lot about molting...i know they lose feathers...how often..do they stop laying when they molt? and i have 2 9 week pullets and have seen a few feathers in the coop..is that molting pr just a few feathers in the coop?

 

[CMV]

Molting happens regularly, but a full on hard molt happens at around 18 months to 2 years, and then once a year thereafter. Chickens are constantly losing feathers and re-growing them, but a hard molt means they drop most of their feathers in a short span. During a hard molt they will stop laying for about a month, but during mini molts their laying is either only slowed down or unaffected.

 

[viktoriacl]

Here is a bump for you. I was just going to post and ask if someone could post a pic of a chicken after a molt then I saw your post. Maybe someone will read,answer your questions and post a picture or two

 

[solarquail]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3049789