Chicken Molt: What is it?

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I am sure you have heard the term of chickens going through a molt before, but maybe not! It is the process that happens in the Fall of each year where chickens start to loose feathers on their back, head, neck, wings, etc. and they stop laying eggs during this process. It is an adjustment, not only for the chickens, but also the owners who are used to collecting eggs on a daily basis. Molting can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months. And no two chickens molt the same! One may lose all their feathers and the next one not many at all. Chickens stop laying during molting because their bodies are using their resources for regrowing feathers. This process can be helped along by giving your flock extra protein during molt. They need it for energy production and the regrowth process. A few good choices are to switch to a higher protein content in the layer pellets you feed them, give them meal worms for treats, give them some meat or even scrambled eggs. All of these are great protein sources that chickens love. Another tip is to add more straw to the chicken coop to help keep them warm at night. They will enjoy it during the day also and scratch around to look for bugs underneath the straw. Have you ever seen a chicken going through molt? Photo Credit: Pixabay, Public Domain