In the field of poultry farming, this physiological phenomenon allows birds to renew their plumage. The renewal occurs regularly, during a laying period, and continues until the end of a cycle that can last several months or span just a few days depending on conditions. The text also includes advice on feeding, adding supplements such as vitamins, calcium, and other minerals, as well as simple tips, like a recipe for an enriched feed using fresh grass or sunflower seeds.
Why is my hen losing her feathers?
The molt is a period during which the hen loses her feathers through a natural and physiological process. The cause of this loss lies in the body’s need to renew worn plumage and replace old feathers with new ones that better protect the animal against cold and other external aggressions. The molt is a phenomenon that also affects eggshell quality and laying intensity, as the animal redirects its energy toward feather regrowth.
This physiological phenomenon occurs regularly in birds, and adult hens or even bantam hens can experience this renewal. A drop in egg production is often observed; the molt reduces laying while energy is invested in plumage regeneration. The molt occurs simultaneously across several areas of the body, such as the head, neck, and tail, and renews in a way that provides a protective covering adapted to temperature variations. New feathers, sometimes finer or with a particular reddish hue, replace damaged ones, and this process can last from a few days to several weeks depending on the breed and condition of the poultry.
When does molting occur in hens? Calendar and duration of the phenomenon
The molt in hens generally occurs at specific times of the year, often in autumn or spring, but it can also happen in early winter. This phenomenon, which represents a transition period in the laying cycle, is characterized by a drop in laying intensity while the body focuses on renewing the plumage. It is noted that the molt is a period during which the animal temporarily stops laying, meaning egg production decreases until the new plumage is complete. In some flocks, it is observed that molting occurs simultaneously in several hens, suggesting a collective phenomenon among birds living in groups.
Sometimes, the molt can stretch over a long period, lasting a full month, or concentrate into one intense day followed by days of recovery. Observation of nature shows that the molt is a process that renews each year in adult hens and that even young hens can experience this change, especially when they reach a growth phase in which energy reserves must be redirected toward the production of new feathers.
How to help hens during molting? Feeding advice and appropriate care
To help a hen during molting, it is advisable to adapt her diet and ensure a healthy, comfortable environment. It is recommended to provide feed rich in protein and minerals, supplemented with vitamins and calcium in the form of a dietary supplement. An effective recipe consists of mixing sunflower seeds with fresh grass and supplements that provide the nutrients needed to promote feather regrowth.
During molting, adding cuttlefish bone to the diet proves very relevant. This supplement provides calcium and essential minerals that help strengthen eggshell formation and promote plumage regrowth. It supports the physiological molting process while reducing stress and optimizing the energy reserves needed by hens. This natural product presents itself as a simple solution to improve the quality of plumage renewal and facilitate the resumption of laying.
Cuttlebone
Discover cuttlebone, an excellent source of calcium for chickens and their feathers.
It is essential to ensure that water is available at all times and that the coop provides good insulation to protect the bird from temperature fluctuations, especially during periods of extreme cold or at the end of the day. Adjusting the diet may include adding a small vitamin-rich supplement, which helps nourish the body and strengthen eggshell resistance when laying resumes.
What is the molting process? Stages of feather renewal
The molting process is a succession of stages that take place over a defined period. First, the hen begins the gradual shedding of her old feathers, which becomes noticeable on various parts of the body, such as the head, neck, and tail. This feather loss does not occur randomly; it is a mechanism through which the feather covering is renewed to better protect the body against cold and external aggressions. Molting is a process that generally lasts several days or even a few weeks, depending on the breed and the condition of the bird. During this period, the hen’s body redirects its energy reserves toward the regrowth of new feathers, a physiological phenomenon that results in a temporary توقف in egg laying.
As a result, molting reduces egg production until renewal is complete. During this process, blood production in the follicles ensures the development of new feathers, which may at times display a reddish tint or a particular coloration. It is also observed that molting at the same time across several areas of the body can be more intense in an adult hen than in a younger one. The mechanism is regulated by hormonal changes and appropriate dietary reserves to supply the nutrients required for plumage regeneration.
Does molting affect egg laying?
The molting phenomenon has a noticeable effect on egg laying. When molting begins, the hen’s energy is diverted from egg production to feather regrowth. Thus, during the molting period, egg laying decreases, and laying intensity drops until molting ends and renewal is complete. This decrease is not a sign of illness, but of a normal physiological change that occurs each year. The reasons for this decline lie in the fact that the bird must allocate its energy reserves between plumage regeneration and vital functions, such as producing eggs with strong shells.
This phenomenon may last a few days or extend over a month, depending on environmental conditions and the quality of the diet. Careful observation shows that hens affected by molting quickly regain their ability to lay once the new plumage has formed and the laying cycle resumes its average intensity. Advice given to improve nutrition and reduce stress helps limit the drop in production, thus ensuring a normal return to laying.
What are the symptoms of molting?
Molting symptoms manifest as a gradual loss of feathers across the entire body. Day after day, a noticeable shedding can be observed affecting the back, head, and even the wings. Sometimes, feather color may change, with some birds showing reddish tones in certain areas, indicating that renewal is underway. Hens during molting often display altered behavior, with reduced activity and a decrease in laying intensity. This physiological phenomenon is characterized by a clearly visible feather loss and may be accompanied by a sense of stress in the bird.
In addition, a temporary stop in laying may occur, resulting in reduced egg production. This change happens gradually, as molting is a natural process that recurs with the seasons. In some cases, the presence of parasites or inadequate nutrition can worsen the situation, but most of the time, the symptoms remain typical of a natural molt and a regular plumage renewal process. These signs are easily identifiable by hobby keepers who monitor the progression of the molting cycle.
How does feather loss occur in hens during molting?
Molting in hens unfolds through several successive stages. At first, the bird’s body begins shedding feathers, often in specific areas such as the head, neck, and tail. This physiological phenomenon, referred to as molting is a process, leads to plumage renewal that protects the body against cold and external aggressions. Initially, old feathers gradually detach, revealing lighter areas where blood supplies the follicles for regrowth.
On a typical day, one can observe that feather loss occurs continuously until the entire plumage is renewed. Throughout this cycle, hens, whether young or adult, redirect their energy reserves toward the regrowth of new feathers. In some flocks, it is noted that molting at the same time occurs in several birds, especially when they benefit from a grassy run with fresh grass that enhances their well-being.
The molting period extends over several weeks, allowing for gradual regrowth that concludes at the end of the cycle. Proper care involves monitoring nutrition and providing supplementary nutrients, ensuring that molting reduces egg production only temporarily before laying intensity returns to its usual level. This normal process perfectly illustrates the natural renewal cycle in hens, a phenomenon that occurs and repeats every year.
