Chickens molt, or lose and replace their feathers, several times throughout their lives. Knowing when and how often chickens molt can help chicken owners properly care for their flock. In this article, we’ll cover the details on the molting process and frequency for backyard chickens.
What is Molting?
Molting is the process where chickens shed their old worn out feathers and grow new ones. It is a natural and necessary part of a chicken’s life cycle. Molting allows the chicken to replace damaged broken, and unkempt feathers with nice, new plumage. A chicken’s feathers protect it from the elements and help regulate body temperature. So it’s important they molt periodically to maintain feather integrity.
During a molt, some chickens lose feathers gradually while others seem to lose them overnight. When a chicken loses a significant number of feathers rapidly, it’s called a “hard molt.”
Molting also causes chickens to stop laying eggs temporarily. The energy spent on new feather growth limits resources available for egg production.
When Do Chickens Molt for the First Time?
Chickens molt several times in their first year of life:
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As baby chicks – The first molt happens when chicks are 5-10 days old. They lose their down feathers and grow their first real feathers.
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As young chickens (8-12 weeks old) – The second molt brings in their second set of feathers. This is when sex differences in plumage emerge (long tails, saddle feathers on roosters).
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As adolescents (around 18 months old) – The first major adult molt happens. This large juvenile molt prepares them for their adult feathering.
How Often Do Chickens Molt as Adults?
Typically, adult chickens molt once a year in late summer or early fall. The duration of the adult molt is generally 4-6 weeks but can vary:
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Hens take 4-6 weeks to replace feathers during an adult molt
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Roosters can take up to 3 months to complete a molt
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Some hens molt quickly while others molt slowly over months
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Hard molts happen rapidly while soft molts are more gradual
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Stress, nutrition, and health impact molting time
Adult molting is usually triggered by decreasing daylight hours and the end of an egg laying cycle. This annual late summer/fall molt aligns with the changing seasons in temperate climates.
When Do Chickens Molt Unexpectedly?
While most backyard chickens molt on an annual basis in fall, abnormal or unexpected molts can occur. Factors that can spur an unseasonal molt include:
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Stress – Transport, rehoming, predators, new flock members, etc.
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Nutrition – Deficiencies and lack of protein during molt period
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Health – Diseases, parasites, recovery from illness
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Unusual lighting – Sudden changes to artificial lighting in coop
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Physical triggers – Hatching chicks, extreme heat
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Age – As chickens get older, they may molt more often
If you notice a chicken molting at an odd time or for an extended duration, review their environment and care routine. Addressing causes of stress and boosting nutrition can help them complete the molt quickly.
Tips for Caring for Molting Chickens
Here are some tips for helping chickens through a molt:
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Add extra protein – Increase protein to 20% with high protein treats.
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Reduce stress – Decrease handling and separate if the chicken is bullied.
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Check for parasites – Lice and mites can prolong molting.
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Prepare for reduced egg production – Hens stop laying eggs during a molt.
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Provide ample shelter – Safe, dry housing protects them as new feathers grow in.
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Monitor for illness – Increased susceptibility when feathers are low.
With proper care, most backyard chickens will molt successfully once per year in adulthood. Being aware of molting cycles and preparing accordingly will result in happy, healthy, fully feathered hens!
Share “Chicken Molting Tips”
Molting is an essential part of chickens’ growth and health, but losing and replacing feathers is also a messy, stressful process. Taking steps to help chickens with molting can minimize the stress and keep your backyard flock happy and healthy.
All chickens molt to replace old, broken, and worn out feathers with fresh plumage that will provide better insulation. Young chickens typically have several juvenile molts as they grow to their full size, but won’t begin their regular seasonal molts until they are 12-18 months old. Mature chickens will molt once or twice a year, often with one “soft†molt where only a few feathers may be shed, and one “hard†molt where they will lose almost all their feathers over the course of a few weeks.
When a chicken molts, it is more susceptible to illnesses and injuries, including skin infections. The molting process can be uncomfortable or even painful as new feathers protrude from the skin, and sensitive chickens may become moody, withdrawn, or even aggressive if they are exceptionally stressed. It can take 4-16 weeks for a chicken to molt completely, and during that time a hen’s egg production may be significantly slowed or even stopped depending on her breed, the type of molt she is undergoing, and her overall health.
Molt timing is tied to photoperiod, and chickens may molt both in spring and late summer when the seasons are changing. This timing ensures the birds have the freshest, sturdiest plumage just when they will need it most.
Dealing with Chickens Molting
FAQ
What months do chickens molt?
Chickens typically molt during the late summer to fall months, specifically August through November, according to Backyard Boost, Kalmbach Feeds, and My Pet Chicken. This seasonal molt is a natural process where chickens shed old feathers to make way for new, healthy plumage.
Will chickens lay eggs while molting?
Chickens will stop laying if they’re molting as it takes all their energy and protein intake to grow new feathers so eggs are off the table anyway!
Can chickens molt twice in one year?
This occurs when the days start to get shorter and fall approaches. Some chickens will molt twice in one year and this second molt is called a soft molt.
What are the signs of chickens molting?
- Sudden and dramatic loss of feathers.
- Pale combe and wattles.
- Reduction or even complete stop in egg production.
- Increase in appetite especially for proteins.
- New feather growth.