chocchick Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Abbie seems to be moulting and has given up egg production for what seems like months, but is probably only a few weeks. The chickens are on a go slow and we get about 2 eggs every 3 days now I know it's good for them to have a rest, but I can't help missing the eggs, especially on zero egg days. Abbie doesn't look much different but her comb has shrunk and is pink. Megan might be joining in too, but is still laying eggs. Hard to tell the brown feathers apart. I keep wondering if Abbie will turn into one of the half bald punk chickens they use as examples in Practical Poultry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Yes, Clarry's moulting now. There are feathers everywhere! Izzy's losing feathers too but not to the extent that Clarry is. As neither of them lay eggs anymore, it's not a problem but Jenny won't be far behind and being my only egg layer, I'm really going to miss hers when she does take a break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Kim is moulting too - and has stopped laying altogether. She is looking really white, as the brown feathers have dropped. I'm hoping this will mean more eggs when she's recovered! No eggs so far this month from anybody! But I'm gearing up to get some new girls next month! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Yes, Skye has recently 'half moulted'! She had a full moult at Christmas time and stopped laying for about 6 weeks. A few weeks ago she started dropping feathers again and stopped laying, but she only lost feathers for a few days this time, and since has laid a shell-less egg every other day - I've always thought she was an older hen when I got her (and not 24 weeks as she was sold to me) so I think she may be slowing up now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted August 22, 2007 Author Share Posted August 22, 2007 I think Abbie is having a partial moult then, or very slow moult. maybe just a holiday?! She very feathered and covered which is surprising given the number of feathers about. She is very fluffy and feathery though It's funny, OH laughed when I suggested we needed more chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Mine are pretty much all moulting. Feathers EVERYWHERE, and NO EGGS. We sold three dozen last week and now suddenly we have about four in the basket. As long as I can save six for our regular customer, we'll be ok, but I'm a bit peeved frankly. OH also laughed when I said we needed more chickens. So I've bought some quail instead. HA. That'll larn him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted August 22, 2007 Author Share Posted August 22, 2007 OH also laughed when I said we needed more chickens. So I've bought some quail instead. HA. That'll larn him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Is there any particular time of the year that chickens moult?? or is it just when they feel like it? also, about how old will they be when they moult for the 1st time, and how often does it happen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutechicky Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 My chickens are moulting too. Feathers have been flying everywhere! Were do they all come from?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Yep....Artemis Fowl looks very scruffy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Yes, both mine are moulting too. Today Gwen looks like an extra from a horror movie as she has hardly any feathers on one side of her face and neck (at least I hope this is down to moulting - I've checked for lice etc)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Is there any particular time of the year that chickens moult?? or is it just when they feel like it?also, about how old will they be when they moult for the 1st time, and how often does it happen? I'm just repeating arrowland17's questions - I'd like to know the answers too please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 (edited) This is what I found "The pullet The chick goes through one complete and three partial moults during its growth to point of lay, after which the mature bird normally undergoes one complete moult a year, usually in autumn although this depends on the time of the year at which the bird commenced laying. Generally complete moulting occurs from 1-6 weeks and partial moulting at 7-9 weeks, 12-16 weeks and 20-22 weeks, and during this latter moult the stiff tail feathers are grown. The laying hen Natural moulting usually begins sometime during March-April and should be completed by July when egg production recommences. The three main factors which bring about moulting are: physical exhaustion and fatigue completion of the laying cycle. Birds only lay eggs for a certain period of time reduction of day length, resulting in reduced feeding time, and consequent loss of bodyweight. Eleven months continuous production is expected from pullets hatched in season, so that if a flock of pullets commenced laying in March at six months of age, they should continue laying until the following February, although the odd bird may moult after laying for a few weeks. These few birds however should begin laying again after June 22 (the shortest day of the year) and continue in production until the following autumn. Pullets coming into lay in June should lay until the following April thereby giving eleven months continuous egg production without the aid of artificial light. Pullets coming into lay in spring (August) should lay well into April (9 months) but unless artificial lighting is provided, most of them will moult during May and June. " Think the dates may be wrong because I think it's from an Australian site and obvioulsy their winter is diffrent to ours. Edited August 24, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 excellent thanks for that - mine were 6 months old at POL when we got them so I'll expect their first moult in about May or so I think - thanks for all the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geb0205 Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Oh dont talk about moult... I never knew one chook had soooo many feathers, and she is only a bantie!! Poor Speck, she lost ALL her tail feathers last night (hamburgh - she has a tail like a rudder), she does look odd... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted August 26, 2007 Author Share Posted August 26, 2007 From Practical Poultry, the moult is around Aug-Sept. The feathers on the wing are lost in a particular order, and feathers round the body are lost at different times. It can take up to 12 weeks. Young birds have moults while they are growing. T&S had a partial moult in Winter that may have been a growing one, as they were young and undeveloped when we bought them. This is my only other feather loss, although it is pathetic so maybe only a partial moult again and they don't look different. The combs are pinker and egg production has shut down You don't always get it in the first year, my oldest chicken now we got a year last May so maybe I need to wait until next year for something more exciting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Babs started moulting at Easter, when she had egg peritonitis. She was fully feathered again 2 weeks ago. 3 days ago, i found more ginger feathers!!! (the other 2 are s) so i think she is moulting again! Def no lice/mites, so not sure what to think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 I have moulters too There are feathers everywhere & I am having trouble rustling up enough eggs for my regulars,& still have enough for our own use I might have to do an Aunty e & get some Quail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted October 4, 2007 Author Share Posted October 4, 2007 Abbie's moult was a kind of non-event and she lost very few. I picked Megan off the night tonight to collect eggs and as she is so cuddly and she was distressed. I popped her down and I think her entire tail fell off There were at least 6 really huge feathers in the nest. I think I broke my chicken, and feel a little guilty She scuttled into the back of the eglu, so will have to wait to see if it was her tail feathers or wing feathers that fell off No wonder the little love didn't want to be held Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Choccy, I've just replied to your other post about this...and suggested that she's moulting, not broken by you! Moulting is in full swing with some of mine now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
