Molting is a natural process when chickens lose their feathers every year and grow new ones. It is usually triggered by fall weather, with shorter days and cooler temperatures. Both roosters and hens molt (all bird species molt), but hens will also stop laying eggs during this time, because their body is devoting excess protein and nutrients toward making new feathers During molting, a chicken will lose its feathers starting from the head and neck, then down through the body and wings, and lastly the tail. The new feather growth pushes out the old ones, so you should see new pinfeathers emerging as old ones fall out. A chicken should not ever develop actual bald spots during the molting process.
There are technically two types of molting:
- A soft molt, when the bird loses feathers gradually, and it may not be noticeable to many people
- A hard molt, when the bird suddenly and dramatically loses a lot of feathers
A hard molt is alarming to many chicken owners, even experienced ones. Feather loss and cessation of laying may also be a sign of illness in a chicken, not simply an annual molt. It is natural to be a little concerned, even if you see it every year.
Because some of the symptoms of molting are similar to symptoms of illness, and also because chickens are more vulnerable during their molt, it’s important to keep an extra eye on your chickens and be vigilant of their health during this time.
When do chickens molt?
Chickens molt several times during their lives.
The first molt is when they are only 6-8 days old, when the downy fluff of baby chicks is replaced with actual feathers.
The second molt is when the bird is 8-12 weeks old, and the juvenile feathers are replaced with adult ones. In roosters, this is when they grow their ornamental feathers, so it’s also when the sex of a chicken is ultimately confirmed.
Adult chickens molt at about 18 months, and annually thereafter. Most chickens molt in the late summer or early fall, and the process takes 8-12 weeks in total. However, many individual chickens molt in their own way and in their own time. Some perfectly healthy chickens molt out of season or take a longer or shorter time to regrow feathers.
Molting may also be triggered by other factors, including:
- Stress
- Lack of water
- Poor nutrition
- Extreme heat
- Unusual changes in lighting conditions
Broody hens are prone to molting after brooding because they have a reduced nutrition intake during the brooding process. Brooding hens may also pluck their own breast feathers to transfer more heat to the eggs, which can be mistaken for molting.
What to do during molting
Because molting is a natural process, the best thing to do is be patient, vigilant, and support your chickens with a little more attention during this time.
1. Feed extra protein
The most important thing you can do during the molting process is to add additional protein to their diet. Manufacturing feathers requires a lot of protein, and supplementing protein in the diet helps the feathers be strong and may help speed the molting process.
Consider adding some mealworms, meat scraps, earthworms and even crickets. Not only will your chickens benefit from the extra protein, but these are foods that they truly seem to love.
2. Control lighting conditions
If you use a lamp in your coop to simulate extended daylight, it is a good idea to turn it off for 6-8 weeks at the end of fall and beginning of winter, to encourage your chickens to molt completely and successfully. It is best if molting is completely finished before cold winter weather sets in, when they will need all their feathers for warmth. Do not add or change lighting during a molt, as it may delay or disrupt the process.
3. Protect your molting chicken
Chickens are particularly vulnerable during this time, so be attentive to their condition. Keep them out of harsh weather and away from any bullies in your flock.
4. Do not add stress
Avoid introducing new birds or making big changes to their environment during a molt. Avoid changing up their daily routine by letting or keeping them out later that usual.
5. Avoid handling them
The new pinfeathers are prickly and sensitive, and it can be painful for a chicken to be handled during this time. If you normally put sweaters on your chickens, avoid it during molting.
6. Keep an eye on their behavior
If a molting bird develops a bald spot, it can trigger pecking and bullying from the rest of the flock. If a pinfeather is damaged, it will bleed profusely, tempting more pecking, so monitor the flock for signs of aggression.
7. Keep an eye on the temperature
If your chicken molts out of season, or the weather becomes very cold, a molting bird needs extra protection. You may want to give them a source of radiant heat (not light, and not a sweater) if they show signs of being cold.
Consider installing a ceramic heat lamp in the coop. These are used frequently with lizard habitats. The ceramic heat lamp operates from a regular light bulb fixture and radiates heat, but no light. This allows you to keep it on all night without disrupting their sleep.
8. Monitor the bird closely
A molt is a good time to check the condition of their skin and feathers for mites or other problems. Feather loss and cessation of laying are normal during a molt but can also be a sign of illness or disease.
When is molting not molting?
Remember that normal molting progresses from the head down the body toward the tail, and that ingrowing pinfeathers are almost always visible during the process. It may appear to be a serious problem, but it is quite normal.
Other kinds of feather loss can potentially be a sign of illness or problems with your chickens, so here are some things to look out for:
- Feather loss specifically around the vents is often a sign of lice or mites, not molting
- Bald spots are not a sign of molting and can not only be indications of a health problem but can also trigger bullying and aggression in the flock. Check the chicken’s skin for lice that may be causing bald spots and be vigilant against bullying. If you suspect that one may be getting picked on, your can try isolating her for a while. Better yet, isolate the aggressor if you think you have one.
- If your chickens have lost feathers for more than 12 weeks, take them to a vet for a health check
Conclusion
Molting is a natural process, and, when not triggered by stress or illness, is actually a sign that your chicken is healthy. Make sure their extra nutritional needs are met, so they can grow new feathers and return to laying normally.
