Some of our chickens are moulting
Posted by Fiona Nevile in Chickens | 33 comments
I went down to the run today and it was covered with a light sprinkling of feathers. My initial gut reaction was slightly panicky. Had a fox got in or a giant rat? Then I remembered that sometimes chicken moult at this time of year. As chickens get older they are more likely to moult. It’s never the whole gang and that is why it’s a bit disturbing. We have three hens, looking great with bright red combs stepping about perkily. The other two look as if they haven’t seen a hairbrush for months.
My bantam book is reassuring. As the feathers drop from the head they are swiftly followed by new, squeaky clean ones. Also, chickens keep their ability to fly during a moult, retaining essential wing feathers for this task. The longer the feathers the longer they take to grow back.
It’s great that they can fly as this means that they have a chance if trouble strikes but it’s the eggs that I’m interested in. Our problem is that we haven’t collected an egg for days. They go ‘off lay’ when moulting. What about the three that are not moulting? Surely they could lay an egg or three to keep us happy.
Danny is kinder than me, ‘At least they’ll live a bit longer, if they have a rest,’ he said as he cracked a handful of eggs from John’s shop into the frying pan, ‘you’ll hate it when Carol dies.’
Thinking about it, he’s right. Although I do miss the warmth of a newly laid egg in my hand, in the morning.
Tips and tricks:
- Generally if you see a lot of feathers in the run at this time of year it’s an indication that some of the hens are moulting. If you suspect feather pulling and bullying, hang a head of cabbage in the run. Position this at a height that forces the chickens to stretch and jump to reach the cabbage. This should stop the feather pulling quickly.
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Hi Diane
If the cockerels are not fighting it’s fine to keep them both but you have to think about the impact on the hens – cockerels can become a pest.
They need the layers pellets. Withdraw all other food and they will have to eat them. Just give a little corn as a treat.
Moulting – the feathers will regrow eventually.
Hi
I have four bantams, two hens, two cockerels (one a hatchling from the summer. Three things I would like to know 1. If the cockerels are not fighting is it OK to keep both. 2. The bantams will only eat mixed corn and leave the layers pellets. They are free range all day and get a few grapes, fresh corn, and the odd cabbage. 3. Senior Cockerel, Randy, has moulted and looks dreadful all the feathers round his neck have gone and seem to be taking a long time to regrow. Any advice on any of these would be most appreciated. They all seem quite happy and the young cockerel sits on my hand to feed. Diane
Dear Gillian,
I am worried about franscesca, an 1 year old Black Nera. Since I got her I have not been able to keep any weight on her. She is immaciated and now her feathers have gone horrible as if she is going into moult – but there are no feathers in the coop or run. She is on the same worming programme as my other perfectly normal hens and if anything is the greediest bird I have. She is also laying well and shows no sign of illness other than she has no fat on her whatsoever, looks like she has been pulled through a hedge backwards and is going bald! I have added maize to their diet and poultry mix, with bread on top of their normal pellet food in the hope of getting some weight on her but to no avail. There are no signs of mites as I dust regularly. Do you know what is weong with her?
Hello Gillian
The chickens are scratching. Also when you look in dark areas, like under the ends of the perch you can see the eggs. The mites are very active at night so go out with a torch and examine the perch then.
They are treated with powder. Quite expensive but it lasts for ages. I always dust the perch and nesting box with it when I clean the chickens out each week.
One of my leghorns is laying again! What are the signs of mites and if they have them what is the treatment. I have also heard of people worming their chickens. Should this be done routinely?
Hello Tel
Thanks for the advice. I didn’t know that the grey dust is from the bottom of the quills after moulting. Great that your hens are back fully feathered.
Thanks for the tip about Battles Poultry Drink too.
Hello Gillian
Thanks for the advice on mites,ihave found the culprit of the grey dust.It is from the bottom of the quill after moulting.They are in full feather now and look heathy.We are now getting 1 egg a week[7 chickings]after 2 months of moult.You should look at the chickens combs.they should be bright red when in lay.The hours of darkness affects there laying, until we get some nice weather and lighter evenings its a waiting game also the age of the chichens.Try giving them in there water “Battles Poultry Drink this gives them
conditioning and appetite
Hello Tel
I think that the grey dust may be mite eggs. You need to buy some mite powder and dust the house and the hens. I also use an aviary spray (this kills all nasties) but I only use this when the house is empty.
Hello Gillian
Thay should start laying again when they have finished moulting. Have you treated them for mites?
Hi, I am a chicken novice. I have 2 leghorns and a white star cross! Bought them in August and they were all laying well. They have now moulted and gone off the lay, they have been off the lay since November, when can I expect eggs again?
Gillian
Like the others on this page my chicks are on there 2nd moult.They have had warm mash and marmite sandwich plus vitemins but still look untidy.They did go off there food for a time but with the marmite sandwitch it did the trick.Iam getting a lot of grey powerlike dust in the house is this due to the moult.Ihave inspected them for bugs can you tell me what this grey dust might be Thanks tel