When will they molt and how long with no egg laying?

[chickendude]

I have 6 5 1/2 month old RIR pullets. I have been getting 4-5 eggs a day. They are feed well and very healthy and spoiled. When can I expect them to have their first molt and how long will they stop laying?

 

[canada-goose]

They probably won't molt until next fall. Once they start molting, it'll be a long time until you get eggs again!

 

[eggsrcool]

They may not moult until next autumn. Moulting lasts (for good layers) between 4-8 weeks. Bad layers up to 12 weeks. After moult, they should start laying again shortly.

 

[hen-thusiast]

Quote:
I'll second that for bad layers. Our only true "layer" (others are dual purpose) is on track to start a non-laying record with her molt and technically she's too young to even be molting.

 

[chickendude]

Thanks for the info. 4-8 weeks will seem like an eternity without fresh eggs. all my girls are the same age and I'm assuming they will probably molt around the same time. This will be the reasoning I will use on my wife as an excuse to get a few more hens.