Plus, they will stop laying egss - my Isa Browns just do a soft molt and continue to lay. In the case of molting though, not laying eggs is totally normal and part of their natural self-defense to conserve nutrients and stay healthy during a molt. Chickens molt in a predictable order beginning at the head and neck, proceeding down the back, breast, wings and tail. Whereas others will have a soft molt and lose a few feathers here and there over a longer period of time. Things like canned tuna, scrambled eggs and cat food all contain good amounts of protein. You should keep stress down to a minimum. In addition to being protein-rich, feathers have a very high nitrogen content. I love you guys! Chickens molt in a predictable order beginning at the head and neck, proceeding down the back, breast, wings and tail. When the feathers get ragged they do not lock together as well. If your chicken is losing feathers at an odd time of year, rule out other causes by observing their behavior and carefully inspecting their feathers for parasites. Truthfully, only your chickens know how long they’ll be molting for. Each year chickens’ old feathers become worn out from sun bleaching, pecking by other chickens and fairly constant preening. Why do chickens stop laying eggs? So your chickens might be a bit lethargic, subdued or become skittish for no good reason. However, this may not always be the case! The feathers start to look dingy and ragged. You can tell the birds aren’t their normal, chipper selves, as their activity usually decreases. Molting is a natural, healthy part of a chicken’s life cycle and it’s critical to their health. Their comb and wattles will appear faded or washed out and perhaps a little shrunken in size. As a side note once all the feathers have fallen it is a great time to clean your coop for fall. While molting occurs at fairly regular intervals for each chicken, it can occur at any time due to lack of water, food, normal lighting conditions. When I see chicken feathers, I see one thing: fertilizer! Unfortunately, you may suffer in the form of fewer eggs because of it, but it’s worth it to get the plentiful amounts that a healthy chicken will provide throughout the rest of the year. We will inform you when the product arrives in stock. Try not to pick them up or otherwise handle them unless necessary. 5 Ways To Help Your Molting Chickens Switch to the highest protein food available at your feed store. While molting occurs at fairly regular intervals for each chicken, it can occur at any time due to lack of water, food or sudden change in normal lighting conditions. Their egg laying ability and impeccable manners help to make them a wonderful chicken that is well suited to Read More →. With time and a little help from you, your chickens will be back to their normal selves in no time. While they’re molting, they will appreciate some extra TLC, treats, and special care. The duration of a molt will also vary for each individual bird, and can range from several weeks to a few months to complete. They are a great source of protein, after all! They can also eat high protein treats and snacks too. The first occurs between 1-6 weeks. If a hen loses feathers and develops bald patches that linger, with no other sign of a molt, there may be parasites or illness at work (see the Chicken Health section of this Guide for further advice). Good insulation for the winter months is critical for the survival of your chickens in very cold climates. Molting Timeframes When chicks hatch, they have no feathers and are covered with a soft down. These feathers will see them through the winter months into spring, the mating season and summer. Keratin. There is such a thing as “feather meal” fertilizer after all! Though they are not laying eggs, it is important that your chicken continues to eat a high-quality diet since feathers consist of … Feathers are made of this very light-but-strong type of protein. The severity of the molt will vary from chicken to chicken, and each chicken will experience a different molt each year. Chicken Breeds and Life Expectancy, Black Australorp: Breed Information, Egg Color, Characteristics and More…, How To Transport Chickens: The Definitive Guide, Automatic Chicken Waterers: What To Know Before Buying, 12 Reasons You Should Not Get Backyard Chickens, Chicken Diarrhea: 9+ Common Causes and How To Treat It. Chickens stop laying if not exposed to enough daylight, exposed to various stresses, molting, improper diet, are broody or are just old. To increase egg production you can add artificial lighting, change her … Chickens will molt as surely as the sun will rise. Thank you! Are your chickens molting now? During this time their pin feathers are extremely sensitive so putting a sweater on them would cause unnecessary pain and discomfort. Do keep feeding them their extra protein to encourage quicker feather growth. Unfortunately, many chicken owners find that there are times when their hen stops laying. Your chickens can be subdued, sitting off to the side hunched up and shivering if the weather is cold. This is the remains of the waxy coverings that all new feathers begin with – nothing to be worried about it is perfectly natural. Chickens actually have two molts during their first year of life. If the problem is severe you may have to isolate the more timid girls until they have grown in their feathers. If you want them to start laying eggs sooner then you will have to add a light to the coop.