Chicken Molting Tips from Burns Feed Store

Is your flock starting to ruffle your feathers when you walk into your backyard and it looks like the Royal Rumble of pillow fights just happened! Don’t freak out; your hens are just going through their molting phase! Yep, those fluffy wonders are shedding and sprouting new feathers, which are made up of a whopping 80-85% protein! That means they need a protein buffet to grow those luxurious plumage back. Want the scoop on molting?

Molting is like your chickens’ version of a makeover; it starts with a stylish change from the head and neck, moving down to the wings and tail. Fun fact: they’ll have two mini molts before their big annual one! The first mini molt happens when they’re just wee chicks, around 6-8 days old, and the second shows up between 7-12 weeks when they start flaunting their fancy rooster feathers.

But brace yourself—molt season is upon us, if it hasn’t already crashed your coop party! As the days grow shorter (cue the sad trombone), egg production takes a nosedive, and feathers fly as your hens shed their old attire. But don’t despair! With the arrival of spring and longer days, egg-laying will strut back into town.

To give your hens a helping wing through this feather fiasco, consider upping their protein game with a high-protein feed like Purina High Protein. They’ll love the 19% protein goodness, complete with black soldier fly larvae and the Oyster Strong® System. If you’re feeling extra fancy, add some supplemental light to your coop to keep those eggs rolling in during the dark months. And remember, try not to shuffle their living arrangements or introduce new pals during this delicate time. Keep stress levels low, and throw in a Flock Block or the new Farm To Flock Block for some extra fun!

So, while your feathery friends might look a bit mopey during molting, rest easy knowing it’s just part of their natural beauty routine!