Help! I’m Naked! Supporting Your Flock Through Their Molt
by Meghan H
Published November 7, 2017
The first time you experience your chickens going through their first molt, you may be shocked to find enough “un-owned” feathers in the coop to suspect that a predator has attacked. At least, that was my first thought when my first flock began their molt! Let’s discuss and learn about supporting your flock through molting and ways to help your hens get through it gracefully.
Molting is the term that refers to the complete, rapid shedding of old feathers and the re-growth of new feathers. Generally, chickens normally molt in the late summer and early fall months. Chicks hatched in early winter or spring will not molt that same year, but will wait until the following fall before they molt for the first time.
Higher Protein
During a molt, a hen will drastically slow or completely stop laying eggs. Feathers consist of 85% protein, so egg production must decrease in order to re-grow feathers. Giving your hens a higher protein ration while they are molting will help them grow new feathers quickly, which should help them get back to laying sooner. Feeding high-protein treats like black oil sunflower seeds, plain yogurt, seeds, scrambled eggs, and mealworms can also be helpful. Cat food is another recommendation you may read about on the internet, but be aware that cat food is also high in sodium and may cause a nutrient imbalance in your flock. Given as an occasional treat is probably okay, but any more than that could cause a problem.
Molting doesn’t just happen to hens, roosters will also go through this process. The length of molt varies greatly by breed and can also vary between individuals within the same breed. Generally, your best layers will molt late in the season and molt quickly. The not-so-great layers will barely look like they are molting; dropping feathers and re-growing them so slowly that you may not even notice that she is in molt and not laying eggs. On average the molting process will take around 7-8 weeks from start to finish but can take up to 12 weeks.
Molting and the unavoidable decrease in egg production that comes with it are Mother Nature’s way of preparing our chickens for winter. What are some of the other ways you’ve helped in supporting your flock through their molt? Leave a comment below and tell us!
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This may not be a solution for everyone, but chickens are natural carnivores. If I can find a fresh, roadkill deer (I have around 100 birds that are in an enclosure and don’t have access to many insects), I skin it and put it in with the chickens. It is an absolute banquet for them and I know they are getting great protein. They have it cleaned up before there is any issue with maggots and it does help with the molting and egg production.
My apologies to any who find this offensive, but my chickens are thrilled.
When the weather gets cooler, I start feeding my girls a good game bird feed. It’s higher in protein and really puts the weight and feathers back on them.
I feed my chickens a pellet feed called “feather fixer” because its higher in protein. I also feed them black oil sunflower seeds, meal worms and earth worms that I dig up out of the compost pile or purchase at the outdoor fishing supply store. When it gets cold outside just before they turn in I feed them organic grain to help keep them worm 🙂
When I have an abundance of eggs, I steam them in my instant pot, then throw them in the blender and dehydrate them. I add these dehydrated eggs to their scratch grains. They love them. I will also add fish meal to their food when they are molting.
Thank you for sharing! These are some great tips!