Unfeathered friends

Our chooks are moulting.

It's all part of the process.

Moulting is a natural process where the hens lose some of their old and broken feathers and grow a robust shiny new set to get ready for the forthcoming winter season. 
It can take a few months to fully grow back phoenix-like, just in time for the darkest coldest frosty nights which are around the corner.

This year we have had a couple of light frosts in the Scottish Borders already.

It's a sign of the times.

The moult usually starts in late summer or Autumn and is triggered by the low levels of lights and early dark nights but stress can also be a factor. 
Hens usually have their first moulting episode when they are around 18 months but chooks don't read the rule book so just keep it in mind if your birds start to look bald. 

Bald but beautiful.

One minute they are looking in prime condition and suddenly they start to appear tatty.
They can either drop just a couple of feathers (soft moult) or go the whole hog with a full-on (hard moult.) 
At about the same time, the hens slow down or take a complete break from their laying eggs duties. Of all our four rescue chooks, Patti is the one who has lost the most of her feathery down.
Bless, she sort of looks like a half stuffed pillow with the innards spilling out. One shake and there is a snowglobe snowstorm of feathers lying at her feet. It must be chilly when the wind blows a hoolie.

Feathered friends.

When the feathers eventually start to regrow the tiny sharp pin feathers appear first, and before they burst into full-feather the chickens look a bit like a spiked hedgehog. 
Also, don't be tempted to dress them up in clothes, the cold helps them regrow their feathers properly.

Extra treats

Egg laying and growing feathers make high protein demands on your flock so it is worth feeding them a bit of extra protein and calcium at this time(feathers are 80% protein). 
Our gang enjoy pecking at worms dug up in the garden. They worship the garden fork, all rushing to see what tasty morsels it will deliver. Which makes digging anywhere in the garden a bit tricky, as hens take a very close interest.

Other tasty morsels are soaked dried cat food or sardines in brine, yup chickens are omnivores. A boost of Vitamins, minerals and apple cider vinegar is also something to think about treating your chickens with during this period.

However, they will soon be back looking at their full feathered best.


READ MORE ABOUT THE CHOOKS HERE

and HERE

and HERE

Good news her feathers are growing back.