Molting Chickens: How Long It Lasts and What to Feed

Molting chickens drop old feathers and grow new ones, usually in fall. Egg laying stops, so feed more protein and handle them less.

Molting chickens look terrible for a few weeks: bald patches, feathers all over the run, and an empty nest box. It is normal. Molting is how a hen replaces worn feathers before winter, and it is also her break from laying. Here is what is happening, how long it lasts, and what to do about it, from university extension services and the feed makers who study it.

Why Do Chickens Molt?

Mississippi State University Extension puts it simply: “Each year chickens molt, or lose the older feathers, and grow new ones.” University of Florida IFAS Extension says good layers lay for about 50 to 60 weeks and then take a rest period called a molt.

Daylight is the trigger. Purina says molting “usually occurs in the fall” as the hours of sunlight drop. UF IFAS notes hens need about 14 hours of daylight to keep laying, and when production stops because the days are shorter, the birds may molt too.

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How Long Does Molting Last?

The length varies by hen. Purina says to expect about eight weeks of feather loss and regrowth, and up to sixteen weeks for some birds. Mississippi State Extension says early molters can take 4 to 6 months to finish, while late molters shed in 2 to 3 months. Late molters are usually your better layers: Mississippi State says they lay for 12 to 14 months before molting.

You can often tell the two apart by the wings. Mississippi State says late molters drop their primary wing feathers in groups of two or more, while early molters lose them one at a time.

What Order Do Chickens Lose Feathers?

From front to back. Mississippi State Extension lists the order: head first, then the neck, breast, body, wings and tail. If the pattern looks different, or the skin looks damaged, see the flock health note above.

What to Feed Molting Chickens

Protein. Regular layer feed usually runs around 16% protein, according to University of Kentucky’s Jacquie Jacob on the extension poultry site, and at least 14% to keep hens laying. Purina recommends switching molting birds to “a complete feed with 19% protein.”

Go easy on scratch grains and table scraps while they molt. Jacob’s guidance for laying hens is to give no more scraps and scratch than the flock can finish in 20 minutes. When the hens start laying again, go back to a layer feed with the calcium they need for shells. Jacob notes laying feeds typically carry 2.5% to 3.5% calcium.

How to Care for Molting Chickens

• Handle them less. Purina says the skin where new feathers come in “can be very sensitive.” Pick birds up only when you have to.
• Give them room and clean bedding. Purina suggests about four square feet per bird inside the coop, with plenty of clean bedding.
• Keep predators out. Fall is a good time to walk through our predator-proof chicken coop checklist.
• Check them at night. An evening walk through the coop with a light is the best way to spot trouble early. Popular EDC explains how bright a flashlight needs to be for jobs like that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do chickens stop laying eggs when they molt?

Yes. Mississippi State Extension says most hens stop producing eggs until the molt is complete.

At what age do chickens first molt?

Purina says the first full molt usually happens around 18 months old.

How can I help my chickens molt faster?

You cannot rush feathers, but you can support them: a higher-protein feed, fewer treats and less handling.

Is it normal for a chicken to look bald during molt?

Yes, some hens lose a lot of feathers at once. If bald skin shows sores or scabs, or the bird acts sick, call a vet.

Feed more protein, handle less, and wait it out. The feathers come back, and so do the eggs. If a broody hen is your other fall problem, our guide to broody chicken hens covers that one.

Sources: Mississippi State University Extension, “Molting of Laying Hens”; University of Florida IFAS Extension, PS029 “Factors Affecting Egg Production in Backyard Chicken Flocks” (revised August 2025); Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky, “Feeding Chickens for Egg Production in Small and Backyard Flocks” (extension.org); Purina Animal Nutrition, “Three Tips to Help Molting Chickens.”

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James Nicholas

NFA Firearms Manufacturer & Professional Gunsmith The XDMAN has a talent for taking complex firearms subject matter and breaking it down into an easy-to-understand format that all experience levels can relate to. James is an 07/02 NFA Firearms Manufacturer, a Professional Gunsmith with over 20 years of experience, and a Firearms Writer, Photographer and Firearms Expert. Connect with him on Instagram, X, and Facebook as @therealxdman.

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