When do they molt?

[stephhassler]

I've had some hens for 2 years now and they have never gone through a molt? I thought they molted each year for a period of time?

 

[detali]

Count your blessings! When they molt they quit laying until they are done.

 

[canada-goose]

They molt when they want to! Chickens have loads of personality and they hate being predictable! Don't worry.

 

[Mahlzeit]

Mine tend to moult in the fall around september and october mostly.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Mine have always molted 12-14 months after they started laying. I have never had "bald" hens, but between the extra feathers in the coop & less eggs, I knew when they were molting!

 

[rainbowgardens]

I've been expecting mine to molt soon. I've been finding long feathers for a few weeks. I pick them up so I can spot the new ones. Is this a sign they're starting to molt? I think I read somewhere that they start by losing the long feathers on the tail or wings first. I know the egg production is going down some.

Hopefully the new girls start laying before the old ones stop.

 

[Judy]

here you go:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=172357

good link in that thread, too

 

[cmom]

The birds do go through different degrees of molts. Some are heavier than others. Some birds show a significant feather loss while other don't . They may go through mini molts.