How long do chickens molt?

[SKR8PN]

General idea?

 

[miss_thenorth]

Mine took all winter Supposedly if you up their protein, they go through it quicker, although mine got extra high protein snacks all winter and didin't help.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

weeks.... but they will be lovely once they get over that ratty look...

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

too long.

and a molting chicken is an UGLY chicken.

 

[SKR8PN]

My girls just started a couple of weeks ago.......blowing feathers out left and right! Egg production is what I am most concerned with, I can live with ugly chickens.
So far the egg production is just down a little bit.....like from 5-6 eggs a day to 3 or so. I feed these girls pretty darn good, protein wise, so hopefully the egg production doesn't drop off to bad. I can't eat feathers.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

do what i do...

go out there and yell at them:

you are a-gonna feed me one way or another so's you might as well lay an egg!


it works every time....

 

[Woodland Woman]

It really varies. Some breeds rarely molt. Like RIR or production breeds. The ones that seem to loose all their feathers at once will usually be done within 6 weeks. The ones that molt slower can take a lot longer but some of them might still lay an egg here or there. In my experience the longest might take 3-4 months.

 

[SKR8PN]

do what i do...

go out there and yell at them:

you are a-gonna feed me one way or another so's you might as well lay an egg!


it works every time....

I HAVE been telling them to "get with it" or else their going in the pot!


Thanks WW. These are New Hampshire Reds.