When do chickens start to molt?

[Chickengirl64]

First winter with chickens: I've got 6 Barred Rock ladies, got them this summer from a neighbor so I'm not sure how old they are. It's already November, and only a few feathers have fallen. Concerned about them losing the rest coming into the cold time of the year. I live in Southwestern Illinois.

 

[mtngirl35]

Chickens usually have their first molt around 18 months of age. Just because they molt doesn't mean they will lose a lot of feathers. With a soft molt they won't lose many. With a hard molt they could have patches of feathers missing. Or you could have something in between.My roo lost what looked like a ton of feathers but didn't have a single bald patch anywhere. One of my hens is molting right now and she has patches everywhere. Chickens lose feathers on occasion but it doesn't necessarily mean they are molting. Usually if they are molting they stop laying too.

 

[Chickengirl64]

Thanks, Mtngirl, my girls are still laying pretty regularly. I guess I'll just keep an eye on them and see how things go.