MOULTING CHICKENS - Why have the chickens lost their feathers?

Our chickens are currently going through their major annual moult in the lead up to Winter. So we thought we would show you what moulting looks like and explain why chickens moult. To help give you some assurance if you are new to chicken keeping and are wondering why your chickens have gone bald.

[@Bush_Edge_Homesteading_Aus]

Hopefully this is helpful if you are new to keeping chickens and see this happening with yours.

[@simplyoffgrid-australia]

We have one of our Isa’s going through this aswell. She’s also getting picked on a bit as one of our older hens is now going off the lay and taking on the rooster role. Maybe time for a real rooster to sort out our girls. Great video Rachel.

[@Bush_Edge_Homesteading_Aus]

Thanks a bunch Deb and Dan :) Hopefully you are able to get that pecking order sorted. It's never good when you see one of your girls getting picked on, isn't it 😞

[@cheryesido364]

Just a warning, I heard, 2 days ago, that they have avian flue around Melbourne

[@Bush_Edge_Homesteading_Aus]

Yes sadly two chicken farms have now got bird flu and their birds euthanasied 😞 Thankfully not in our region of Vic, but it is absolutely something to watch for if there are unexplained bird deaths in flocks, as wild birds could bring it in.

[@cheryesido364]

How long do they moult for? My girls have been moulting for weeks. I have 15 and I'm lucky to get 1 or 2 eggs every 2 to 3 days.

[@Bush_Edge_Homesteading_Aus]

It is so varied with birds, the isas have lost very few feathers and barely stopped laying. Whereas the leghorn have been moulting nearly a couple of months now. The feathers are nearly all back, but they are still off the lay.

[@cheryesido364]

@@Bush_Edge_Homesteading_Aus thankyou