The decreasing daylight hours of Autumn not only start a rest period in egg production for laying hens, it also triggers molting. Each year chickens feathers become worn out due to the elements, pecking and their own preening practices. The feathers can start to look dirty and raggedy. Once feathers are in this condition, they will no longer insulate the chicken as well as they once did. Molting is natures way of helping them get rid of the old and ring in the new and shiny feathers....just in time for winter.
Chickens typically have their first molt within their first month of life when they lose their chick downy coat and replace it with feathers. They will continue to molt annually from then on.
The tell tale signs for us that the molt has begun is the flurry of feathers on the coop floor, in nesting boxes and floating through the air each morning. Their combs and wattles may also appear paler in color. This molting period typically lasts 6-12 weeks.
This year, Dory, one of our Delaware's, is going through a pretty hard molt. And not only has her physical appearance changed, so has her behavior. She is often one of the first chickens to greet us and jump on our laps, but now she is more apt to skitter away. It’s the Molt.
Fun Fact: Feathers are about 85% protein.
Chickens need extra protein added to their diet when molting to help with the process of growing these shiny new feathers . We supplement with their favorites, organic sunflower seeds and FlyGrubs. Both are protein packed and chicken approved.
So, for the next few weeks, we will do all we can to ensure that all of our ladybirds get plenty of extra protein, we promise not to stare too much at the oddity of it all and will continue to love them through it.
The endless awe of nature! The Autumn sun cycle not only helps chickens regulate their self care practices, it is also what initiates the estrus cycle (heat) in seasonal breeding doe goats and rut in buck goats. When we humans don’t interfere, nature knows exactly what needs to happen.
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