Wondering if your chickens are moulting?

Triggers for Chickens Moulting

A chicken's thyroid gland will secrete hormones once a chicken has completed its egg production cycle. This normally happens in autumn – aka moulting season – when the days start getting shorter. These signal to your chooks that winter is imminent.

Chickens, like other animals, prepare for winter. They do this by growing new pin feathers, so they have less energy for laying eggs.

Stress can also sometimes trigger chicken moulting. If they are deprived of essential vitamins and minerals, your chickens could lose feathers.

When Do Chickens Moult?

Baby chicks moult in four cycles as they grow up, and start developing tail feathers and wing feathers. Meanwhile, mature birds will go through a complete moult in autumn, although they may sometimes lose a few feathers in spring as well.

The exact date for moulting depends on when birds lay eggs.

How Long Does Moulting Season Last?

Chook owners can expect about 6–8 weeks of feather loss and new feather production, although this could take up to 16 weeks in some birds. Age, nutrition, and environment all determine how long adult chickens will moult.

A laying hen with high egg production or younger chickens lose fewer feathers and recover more quickly.

What Moulting Chickens Look Like

During chickens' moulting, you'll see a lot of loose feathers that will eventually fall off. They may look scraggly and lose weight, causing them to look somewhat unhealthy. This is because your chicken is putting all its energy and proteins into its feathers growing.

Signs that your chicken coop is in moulting season include:

● Bald patches
● Less productive egg-laying

● Moodiness
● Dull combs

Caring for Moulting Chickens

Your chooks will need some extra care during moulting. Here are some tips to help your chickens moulting, up until they begin laying again.

#1 – Give them more protein

Feathers are 80–85% protein, so growing new feather growth takes up a lot of the protein that chooks consume. This is why they stop laying eggs. Giving them high protein feed is key during the moulting process – the ratio of their feed should include at least 20% protein.

You can slowly transition back to complete feed when moulting has finished.

#2 – Handle them with care

Growing new pin feathers is a slightly painful process, so handle chickens with care during this period. The point at which feathers grow is sensitive and will remain so up until the quill flakes off.

#3 – Don't stress them out

Your chickens should be comfortable and relaxed while moulting to ease them through the process. Provide plenty of clean bedding and ensure they have plenty of fresh water. Check that the coop has proper ventilation.

Try not to introduce new chooks to the flock at this time. A change in the pecking order could stress out your hens, especially during a moult.