Molting: When Your Chickens Have a Feather Fiasco

Is your flock starting to ruffle your feathers? You walk into the backyard and it looks like the Royal Rumble of pillow fights just happened!

Don’t freak out, your hens are probably just going through their annual molting phase. Those fluffy wonders are shedding old feathers and growing new ones, and feathers are made up of a whopping 80–85% protein. That means your hens need plenty of protein to help grow that fresh, fabulous plumage.

What Exactly Is Molting?

Think of molting as your chicken’s version of a makeover. Feathers are typically replaced starting around the head and neck, then moving down the body to the wings and tail.

And fun fact: chickens go through two mini molts before their big annual molt. The first happens when they’re just wee chicks, around 6–8 days old. The second occurs around 7–12 weeks, when they begin growing their more mature feathers.

Why Does Molting Happen in the Fall?

Brace yourself…Molt Season Is Here!

As the days get shorter, egg production naturally slows down while hens focus their energy on replacing those worn-out feathers. So, if your egg basket suddenly looks a little emptier and your coop looks like a feather explosion happened, don’t panic!

When spring arrives and daylight hours increase, egg production typically picks back up.

Help Your Hens Through Molting

Growing a whole new wardrobe takes energy! You can help support your flock by providing a quality, higher protein feed, such as Purina Layena+ High Protein, which provides 19% protein along with ingredients like black soldier fly larvae and the Oyster Strong System. 

You can also give your flock some extra enrichment with a Flock Block, Farm to Flock Block, or the NEW LIMITED EDITION Farm to Flock Harvest Festival Block.

And while your hens are going through their feather-renovation project, try to keep things calm. Avoid unnecessary changes to their living arrangements or introducing new flock members during this stressful time.

 

Keep Calm & Let the Feathers Fly!

Molting can make your hens look a little rough around the edges, but remember—it’s completely normal and part of their natural cycle.

So if your coop suddenly looks like a chicken-sized pillow factory exploded, keep calm! Your hens are simply working on their new look. Give them good nutrition, keep stress low, and let the feather makeover begin!

It’s Flocktober At Burns Feed Store!

Stop on by today and check out our Purina Flocktober deals! Did we happen to mention the Purina Coop Signs Are HERE!! Also with every Purina Layer feed purchase, enter to win a Ghost Control Automatic Coop Door Opener! Drawing will be on November 1st!