What is molting?

[WoodChic]

Our chickens stopped laying a few months ago, and haven't picked back up. My brother is getting a bit worried, and I don't know what molting really is. We noticed some of them with practically no feathers, but it just crossed my mind as I am writing this that that could have been molting. (or the dog got to them also)

I'm not sure this no-egg-laying is molting though.

HELP!!! Info about molting would help. Thanks!

 

[shay20]

Molting is when they shed there old feathers and come ito there new ones, now when they go through it couses fevers in them, and they hurt more.
So yes they have a drop in egg production from molting.
They also have an egg drop dureing this time of year.
you can try putting a light in there coop from 6 am to 8 pm that will sometimes help in a pick up of egg prodution.

 

[CityClucks]

The search bar up there on the right is a handy tool - I searched "What is moulting" and got this - this is just a few of the threads. Happy reading and good luck with your chickens!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1128112

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3258540

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=40817&p=1

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=263630

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=211

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3280103

 

[naturegrrl]

Basically, molt in birds is an annual physiological process during which they replace most or all of their feathers, as well as some muscle and organ tissue. It's a big deal for birds, so they generally molt *after* they are done laying for the season; or in the case of chickens, they take a break from egg-laying while they molt. It usually happens in the fall, although various environmental conditions can change that.
I happen to be a "molt nerd" (in wild birds the pattern and extent of molt is an excellent way to determine age), so if you want a more in-depth description of the process, feel free to PM me.

 

[cmom]

Molting is a bird loosing feathers. Also they can go through light molts and heavy molts. They usually stop laying when they start to molt and may not start laying again for several weeks. When my birds molt I usually give them a higher protein feed. I have used Game Bird feed which is 20% protein. I think the added protein helps them. I don't worry about feeding them Layer feed when they are molting as I think they need the extra protein for their new feather growth. Their first year they will go through several light molts as they go from chick fuzz to feathers. I had several birds that were around 2 yrs old when they went through their first heavy molt.

 

[WoodChic]

Quote:
My brother set up a light today. Lets see how that works.

 

[WoodChic]

Quote:
Thank you CityClucks, that was very helpful!

 

[WoodChic]

Also, does molting cause serious bleeding? The chicken feeder and waterer were covered in blood a few days ago, and my Bro said that some of the hens heads had blood on them.

 

[Uzuri]

No it doesn't -- that sounds more like a fight, or a comb-grabbing rooster, if you have a rooster.

 

[WoodChic]

No roo's.