When do chickens start molting?

[jimz1]

Are they going to be molting through the winter if they haven't started yet?

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Molting is not an exact science. How old are your chickens? If this is their first year, they probably won't molt this year.
In 7+ years I've only had 1 chicken go through a hard molt, mostly just off & on mini molts. Others have hard molts every fall.
And to answer your question Yes they can molt in the winter, but they could start and be done by winter as well.

Imp

 

[Egghead_Jr]

My first year with hens, over year old, and they've yet to start their first true molt.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree with Imp.

You might want to read through these. I think they give good information on molting.

Mississippi State describes molting
http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html

Kansas State feather loss
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/mf2308.pdf

 

[Johnn]

My chickens are molting now