Molting is a natural process that backyard chickens go through annually to renew their feathers. As fall approaches, you may notice your chickens shedding their old, worn out feathers and growing fresh new plumage. This guide will explain everything you need to know about chicken molting so you can help your flock through this transition smoothly.
What is Molting?
Molting is the process where chickens systematically shed and replace their feathers. It typically happens once a year in the lead up to winter. Molting allows the chicken to grow new feathers to better regulate body temperature and stay protected from the cold weather ahead.
During molt, around 20 primary flight feathers on each wing are replaced, as well as the tail feathers and some body feathers. Chickens can lose up to 30-40% of their feathers over 6-12 weeks. Molting starts with the head and neck area and moves down the body.
Molting requires a lot of energy and resources from the chicken. That’s why you often see decreased egg production and appetite changes during this time. Supporting your chickens properly through a molt is important to keep them healthy.
Triggers for Molting
Molting is triggered by multiple factors:
- Seasonal change – Decreasing daylight hours in the fall triggers the chicken’s pituitary gland to release hormones that initiate feather regeneration.
- Age – Younger chickens under one year usually have minimal molting. Heavy molting typically starts around 18 months of age and continues annually.
- Stress – Stressors like relocation, predators, illness, overcrowding, or poor nutrition can prompt heavy unseasonal molting.
- Broodiness – Broody hens that try to hatch eggs will often molt 2-3 weeks after the broody period ends.
- Diet – Lack of nutrients like calcium, methionine, or zinc can cause nutritional deficiency molts.
Signs Your Chickens are Molting
Watch for these signs that your chickens are entering a molt:
- Excessive feather loss – You’ll notice piles of dropped feathers around the coop and run as new pin feathers start emerging.
- Bald patches – Chickens can look ragged, scruffy and have balding spots as old feathers fall out.
- Decreased egg production – Molting requires a lot of protein and calcium, so egg laying stops or slows down.
- Lethargy – Chickens may be more tired and inactive since molting is taxing.
- Increased appetite – Molting chickens need extra calories and nutrients to grow feathers.
- Pin feathers – Small, sharp quill tips will cover the chicken’s skin before the new feather unfurls.
- Loose vent feathers – The feathers around the vent area are first to be replaced.
- Shriveled combs and wattles – Blood flow shifts to feather growth, causing combs/wattles to pale.
Chicken Molting Sequence
Chickens molt in a specific order starting from the head and neck:
- Head, neck, and hackle feathers
- Shoulder, breast, and thigh feathers
- Wing and tail feathers
- Back, belly, and vent feathers
Heavy molters can lose feathers from all areas at once, while light molters only shed a few feathers sequentially. Pay attention to which feathers are dropping to gauge where your chicken is in the molting process.
Molting Duration
Molting lasts 4-6 weeks in younger chickens, while older chickens may molt for up to 12-16 weeks. Heavy molters that drop many feathers at once will finish molting quicker.
Here are the general timeframes for a chicken molting:
- Light molters: 4-6 weeks
- Moderate molters: 8-12 weeks
- Heavy molters: 6-8 weeks
The Cornell Cooperative Extension reports most hens take 9-12 weeks to complete a molt. Be patient with your chickens during this strenuous period.
Managing Molting in Your Flock
Molting is a large metabolic drain on your chickens. Here are tips to help them through it:
1. Increase Protein Intake
Feather growth requires extra protein. Boost chickens’ protein intake to at least 16% during molt. Supplement their diet with:
- Dried mealworms
- Cooked eggs
- Vegetables like chopped kale or chard
- High protein feed
- Canned sardines (remove bones)
- Cooked beans or peas
- Greek yogurt
Avoid fillers like corn or oats that provide calories without much protein.
2. Ensure Access to Calcium
Calcium is also crucial for developing strong, healthy feathers. Provide free-choice calcium supplements like oyster shell. You can also feed high-calcium treats like yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, or chopped boiled eggs.
3. Offer Supplemental Lighting
Decreasing daylight can stall a molt. Provide 14-16 hours of light daily with LED grow lights to mimic natural summer daylight patterns. Position lights to brighten dust bathing and feeding areas.
4. Reduce Stressors
Stress impedes the molting process. Reduce sources of anxiety like overcrowding, loud noises, predators, or harassment from dominant flock members. Make sure chickens have places to retreat and feel safe.
5. Check for Broodiness & Illness
A molting chicken’s weakened immunity can lead to health issues. Watch for parasites like mites and lice that attack vulnerable new skin and feathers. Also check for typical illnesses like fowl pox and infectious bronchitis. Isolate any sick birds until they recover.
6. Sanitize the Coop
spent feathers hold pathogens that can reinfect chickens. Do a deep coop clean before and after molting to prevent illness. Remove damp litter, wash surfaces with soap and water, and apply disinfectant.
7. Avoid Molt Inducers
Some flock owners use artificial “molt inducers” like zinc or sodium chloride to intentionally trigger molting for better egg production. However, unless naturally occurring, forced molting is extremely stressful. Avoid any products designed to artificially start molt.
What to Expect Post-Molt
Once your chickens complete their molt, you’ll notice:
- Full feather regrowth – New feathers will be fully emerged and smooth.
- Increased egg production – Eggs numbers will rise back to normal pre-molt levels.
- Bright combs and wattles – As circulation improves, combs and wattles look vibrant red again.
- Increased energy – Chickens are more active and explorative.
- Hardy winter feather coating – The fresh feather layer provides insulation and protection.
Be patient – it takes time for chickens to recover from the stress and energy drain of molting. But with extra TLC and nutrition, your flock will return to normal happy, healthy, and handsome chickens by spring.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Molting
Here are answers to some common questions about managing molting in backyard chickens:
How often do chickens molt?
Chickens typically molt once per year in the fall as daylight decreases. Some may do smaller molts in the spring or summer. Molting annually is a healthy, natural occurrence.
Do chickens stop laying eggs during a molt?
Yes, most hens cease or slow down egg production during a molt to divert energy towards feather regeneration. This pause can last a few weeks to several months depending on molt severity.
Do all chickens molt the same?
No, some chickens have light quick molts, while others have heavy lengthy molts. Breed, age, and general health impact molting intensity. Smaller bantam breeds tend to molt easier than larger chickens.
Do roosters molt too?
Yes, roosters undergo the same molting process as hens. However, since roosters don’t lay eggs their energy requirements are bit lower.
Can you stop chickens from molting?
Molting is a necessary biological process so it can’t be stopped completely. But you can try to reduce stressors and improve nutrition to support shorter, healthier molts.
What can I feed chickens during molt?
Increase protein like mealworms, eggs, beans, or sardines. Also ensure chickens have ample calcium sources like oyster shell and yogurt. Avoid empty calories from corn, wheat or oats.
Do chickens lose their feathers when sick?
Sickness can sometimes cause a deficient molt due to lack of nutrients. But sudden loss of feathers is more likely due to external factors like parasites, skin infections, or picking from other chickens.
When do feather return after molting?
It takes 4-6 weeks on average for feathers to fully regrow after old feathers have been shed. Larger feathers like primaries and tail feathers may take a few months to reach full length.
Final Thoughts
Molting can be a challenging time for backyard chickens and their owners. But just remember it’s a normal, healthy process that ensures your flock stays happy and productive. With some extra TLC, protein-boosted treats, and a cleaned coop, your chickens will be back to their bright vibrant selves by the next season.
Stay tuned to the blog for more tips on flock care, chicken health, treat recipes, and more! Let us know if you have any other questions about managing molting in your own backyard chickens.
