Suddenly surrounded by feathers? Don’t panic – it’s chicken moulting season, which can leave even the glossiest hen looking decidedly moth-eaten. Our resident hen guru Alison Leggett explains what’s going on, what to put on the menu and why the eggs may disappear too.
Hey Alison, first things first – what actually is a moult?
It’s completely normal. Most hens will moult in the autumn, generally from late September onwards, although every hen is different. Essentially, they’re shedding their old feathers and growing a fresh set.
And they really do go about it in different ways. One hen might seem to drop every feather in 24 hours, while another loses hers gradually over several weeks, so you hardly notice she’s moulting at all.
Shorter days generally triggers moulting, and that the whole process commonly takes around eight to 12 weeks.
So the explosion of feathers in the hen house isn’t cause for alarm?
No! Though the changes can look quite dramatic. As the new feathers begin to grow, they come through as what we call pin feathers. If you look closely, your hen can start to resemble a little hedgehog.
Those new feathers have a protective covering around them. As she preens, she gradually removes that covering and the feather opens out properly.
Does she need anything different to eat during chicken moulting season?
The important thing is that her normal layers’ feed remains her main food. That’s generally around 16–17% protein.
Growing all those new feathers takes a lot out of her, though, so during a heavy moult I’d give a little extra protein. Hemp seed mixed into breakfast is an easy option, or you can give sunflower hearts – but only later in the day.
Sunflower hearts are like chocolate to hens. Give them first thing and they’ll pick them out, then stand at the gate yelling at you for more!
Feathers themselves are around 80% protein, so growing a whole new outfit is hungry work.
And is that why laying sometimes slows down?
Exactly. It’s quite natural for egg production to drop during a moult. The hen’s body is putting a lot of its resources into growing feathers, rather than producing eggs.
If she is still laying, you may notice the odd soft-shelled egg too, because calcium is also being drawn on during feather growth.
A short calcium boost can sometimes be useful. I’d use a liquid supplement in the drinking water or powder mixed into breakfast for a few days rather than continuously.
So fewer eggs, and a scruffier hen, is basically normal?
Absolutely. It can look alarming if you haven’t seen a proper moult before, but chicken moulting season during autumn and a hen slowing down her laying is often simply doing what hens do.
The important thing is knowing your own flock and noticing anything that doesn’t feel right.
Our Hen Helpline is always here, if ever you feel anxious.
