Chicken molting is the process of losing and regrowing feathers, and it happens every year when the days become shorter. Contrary to popular opinion, during molt, hens expressly cease producing eggs and utilize this period to build up their nutrient stores. Even though they are not laying, it is vital that your hens receive a consistently high quality feed at this period.
Chicken molting stages
During their first year of life, chickens molt twice. The first molt occurs about 6-8 days of age, when they shed their fluff and begin to grow feathers. The second molt occurs between 7 and 12 weeks of age, when chicks lose their baby feathers in preparation for their first complete covering.
The head and neck lose their plumage first, followed by the saddle, breast and abdomen (body), wings, and tail. While the initial feathers fall from the neck and body, excellent layers will typically continue to lay, but when the wing feathers begin to fall, laying normally stops.
Chicken molting season
Mature birds typically molt once a year, generally in the autumn. However, this might vary depending on when the bird began producing eggs. Natural molt generally begins in March or April and should be ended by July, when egg laying starts.
Do chickens molt in the middle of the winter?
Chickens usually molt in the fall, but every now and then you’ll see a late molter who doesn’t molt until the middle of winter.
Chicken molting in summer
Most hens will molt for the first time at the age of 18 months, and while it is normally in the fall, some chickens will molt in the summer. A molt typically lasts 8 to 12 weeks, although it can last longer. Why is my chicken molting in the summer? The most common cause of molting is a reduction in daylight hours and the end of an egg-laying cycle, which usually happens in late summer or early fall.
Chicken molting symptoms
Symptoms of chicken molts If a chicken generally is about to molt, her plumage will initially become quite dull, while feather loss literally is the most noticeable indication of hens molts, which is fairly significant. They will gradually shed their old feathers, and new feathers will definitely sprout in their replacement in a subtle way.
1. Dull chicken feathers during molting
The feathers of a chicken may become duller than usual shortly before it begins molting. This is due to the fact that the process is already underway, and new feathers are on their way. Because the old feathers are being pushed out by the young feathers, they are losing their brilliance. This may be difficult to detect in some hens, but it may be obvious in those with generally vivid feathers.
2. Less or no laying of eggs during molting
Molting need a high protein intake in order for a chicken to produce new feathers. Because egg production takes a lot of protein, most hens must cease laying during the molting process to meet this requirement.
Because feathers are mainly protein, it makes logical that hens need so much protein to develop new ones. If your chicken abruptly stopped producing eggs, this might be an indication that it is molting or is ready to begin the process.
3. Aggressive behavior during molting
The process of molting comes with pains and makes the birds stress a lot. During this period, it is normal to see aggressiveness among your chicken to the point where they may try perking or fight in the coup. Most chicken owner prefer going free range or use the semi-intensive housing during molting in chickens.
Other symptoms of chicken molting may include but not common in most chickens are pale combs, jumping behavior, picking and eating feathers from other chickens and the presence of pin feathers.
What nutrient is most helpful to chickens during the molt process?
During molting in chicken, the protein requirement for chickens in their diet has to increase. This is due to the fact that feathers are made up mostly (approximately 85%) of keratin, a fibrous structural protein that is essentially dead and is generated primarily by live cells.
The hen uses more of its protein in growing new feathers and that causes the drop in eggs laying during this period. Pure breed hens molt more slowly than hybrid hens. Occasionally, chickens will lay one egg during the molt, but the majority will rest and lay no eggs.
High protein foods for molting chickens
Protein is the most important ingredient in a chicken’s diet during molt. Feathers contain 80-85 percent protein, but eggshells are mostly calcium. When you observe your chickens losing feathers, switch to a complete meal with 20% protein, probiotics, prebiotics, and important vitamins and minerals.
1. Bugs Meal
During the period of molting, free range feeding becomes essential If you allow your hens to roam freely in your yard, they will come across a variety of tasty goodies, including grasshoppers, pill bugs, earwigs, crickets, worms, and grubs! If your hens do not have access to fresh bugs, you may supplement their diet with freeze-dried bugs and meal worms.
2. Maggots in chicken diet
Black fly larvae are composed of 35% fat and 43% protein. They’re an excellent addition to your poultry diet. According to agricultural experts, the need for human food will rise by 100% over the next 50 years. Fortunately, black fly maggots have been recommended as a substitute for standard chicken feed items including maize, soybeans, and cereal.
Chickens will consume as many maggots as they can. Maggots in chicken diet provide them with a lot of protein, fat, and amino acids. As a result, they are a very healthy supplement to add to your chicken’s diet.
3. Sea kelp
Sea kelp specifically is a fantastic nutrition for particularly your hens all year, not just during molting season. It’s high in protein as well as critical vitamins and minerals, which will aid your chicken’s particularly general health. You can literally add dried kelp supplement to your chicken’s for all intents and purposes.
4. Fish Meal
Fish meal is a good protein source for chickens. It contains a high concentration of important amino acids such as methionine and lysine, as well as an excellent balance of unsaturated fatty acids, minerals (available phosphorus), and vitamins (A, D, and B-complex).
Fish may be fed to backyard hens. They are able to consume both cooked and uncooked fish. Because it is high in protein, it can be highly beneficial for your hens. Avoid fish that has gone bad, as well as fish that has been floured, battered, or fried. They’re all processed, full of chemicals, and far too heavy in fat.
5. Eggs in chicken diet
Eggs are high in protein, and their shells are practically entirely calcium. These two elements are critical to a chicken’s nutrition and general health. To deter egg-eating behaviors in your flock, boil eggs before feeding them to your hens. Scrambled eggs are simple to prepare and feed to your birds. Alternatively, you may hard-boil a number of eggs, let them cool, smash the shells, and feed the egg and shell chunks to your hens.
Chicken with diarrhea and weight loss
When molting, hens may appear unwell and lose weight; it is critical to keep a careful check on them to ensure they do not truly grow sick. If they become lethargic or erratic in their behavior, this is not normal molting behavior,’ and you should seek additional counsel.
Does chicken poop change molting?
During the molting process, flaking and feces changes are typical. A hen molting expends a lot of energy throughout the process, and as a result, egg production slows down or ceases for a period. A molting hen is also a healthy hen and you need not to worry.
Source:PoultryABC.com
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