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