Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Molting
DOGSANDCATSSHED.CHICKENSMOLT.
Molting is the annual shedding of
feathers from your chickens and around here takes place during the fall, when day-
light shortens and the birds' biological clock tells them to refuel their plumage. Dur-
ing this period egg laying ceases. Good layers molt fast and furiously; they'll look
like punk rockers with bald spots or weird feathers, but it's totally normal. Within
two to three months they'll have a brand new set of feathers. Poor layers take longer;
they really dog it, actually, taking as much as half a year to up their set.
If you want to speed up the molting process, understand that your girls' feathers
are 95 percent protein. By adding some extra oomph to their diet, you can up their
feather-growing production and return them sooner to their normal routines of laying
and living in your coop. The extra protein can come in the form of some meat and
fish along with their usual ration of layer feed. You could also add a high-quality cat
food to their diet, which is higher in protein than dog food and gives the birds a little
jolt of P power while they work toward their new outfits.
