Why do You Want Chickens to Molt?

[Salt and Light]

Why do people want their chickens to molt?

 

[MissPrissy]

Not so much that we want them to molt but that is natures way of yearly replacing their feathers with nice clean new feathers to insulate and protect them through a cold winter. Feathers do wear out and need to be replaced.

Similar to the way your skin cells slough off and are replaced all the time.

 

[Salt and Light]

Thanks! Seems like I was reading about someone trying to make their birds molt on purpose. I am wondering if molting has something to do with egg production...

 

[MissPrissy]

Oh, commercial egg houses do forced a molt and make the birds live on an egg laying schedule. Miss a beat and those hens are removed from production.