Moulting is a completely natural part of a chicken’s life and usually happens once a year, when the days start to get shorter. It’s your bird’s way of shedding her old feathers and growing a fresh new set.
The amount of feather loss can vary quite a lot from one chicken to another. Some chickens may look a little untidy, while others can lose a surprising number of feathers. The length of moult can vary too. Some hens will complete their feather loss and regrowth within a couple of months, while others can take up to four months.
Why do chickens moult?
Young, immature birds can moult up to four times as they grow. These early moults are usually more partial, with less noticeable feather loss, and should finish once the birds reach maturity at around 16-18 weeks of age.
If you have rehomed a chicken, don’t be surprised if their first natural moult is particularly heavy. It can look quite severe, but their feathers should grow back with time.
While your chicken is waiting for their new feathers to grow, make sure they have plenty of shelter from the weather. In particular, protect them from draughts while they have reduced feather cover.
How long does it take for chicken feathers to grow back?
Growing a new set of feathers takes plenty of energy and protein. Our vet, Ben South, explains, “Feather re-growth can take up to 6 weeks from first follicle appearance and requires high levels of protein and energy.”
One simple way to support your chicken during their moult is with a poultry multivitamin added to their drinking water, where it can be easily absorbed by the bird.
Do chickens stop laying eggs when they moult?
It’s perfectly normal for a hen to stop laying while she moults. Most hens will stop laying for around two months as they put their energy into growing a new set of feathers instead.
Moulting can also be a stressful time for your chicken, and this stress can have a negative effect on their gut health. Providing some additional support during this period can be helpful.
Beryl’s Friendly Bacteria, added to drinking water, can help support your hen’s gut health.
How can I support my chicken during their moult?
The best thing you can do is keep a close eye on your chickens and make sure they have everything they need while they are moulting.
Good husbandry is particularly important during this time. Make sure your chickens have adequate shelter from the weather, especially draughts, and consider giving them additional nutritional and gut health support.
Is my chicken's feather loss normal?
Although moulting can result in quite significant feather loss, if your chicken is losing feathers at another time of year, it’s worth looking into the possible cause.
Feather loss can sometimes be caused by pecking or parasites, rather than a normal moult. If you are concerned about your chicken’s feather loss, get in touch with your local chicken friendly vet.
