Winter or Molting or Both?

[ssteiner]

I have three Wyandottes and one Partridge Rock. All four of my girls started laying in April/May of 2009. The three Wyandottes abruptly stopped in October. Feathers everywhere, shorter days, I assume it was molting. But it's been about 10 weeks and NO EGGS. Thankfully, I'm still getting 4 a week from the partridge rock, otherwise we would have no eggs at all. I'm just wondering, how long should I expect the other three to be on strike? I know the girls slow down in winter (in July/August I was getting 20-22 eggs a week), but no eggs at all for months on end seems weird.

I live in Southern California where it was 77 degrees today. The nights are in the upper 40s.

Thanks for any tips.

Scott

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Your molting birds are putting all their energy into growing back feathers. If you want to help them along, give them a higher protein feed. It helps grow their feathers back in quicker.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Yep, moulting. Six of my girls are doing it. Feather's everywhere, I could stuff a pillow.
A nice high protein mix of warm cooked oatmeal in a pie plate on a winter's day makes a moulting hen happy.

 

[Frida's mom]

My BR Frida is also molting. Why would they drop feathers when it is soooo cold outside?? Other hens are not molting.