[Raven81]

I have a question that I really should know the answer to after all the research I've done.   Can any of you lovely and knowledgeable people tell me roughly long a moult should last?   

I have warren hens that are just over a year old so this is their first moult and they seem to have been moulting for months now and all have naked chests or bottoms.

[Anndee]

Sorry Raven81 but can I just join in on your tag.
 I'm wondering when they actually begin to moult and like you how long does it last and do they need any supplements whilst they are moulting.
My bantams are about 1 year old now and have never had a moult yet and don't even look like they are starting to.
anndee

[Anndee]

Hi does anyone have any answers for us??
Ta

[jhub]

 Hiya
 I found this, hope it helps.

http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html

[Raven81]

Thanks, all of ours seem to have started moulting from their chests first.  They are not scratching and I haven't seen any mites or fleas or anything. 

[Sassy]

Mostly they moult in the autumn but some do moult in the Spring and at all times in between. You can support them with a general supplement such as poultry spice if you wish and some people give them a fishy cat/kitten food. I generally just make sure they have ad lib layers pellets as always. It really depends on how free ranging your chooks are in order that they can supplement themselves.

[joyfull]

In their first year they will go through several partial moults - some may be so slight that you will not notice them happening. Usually when they come to their second winter they will have a bigger moult starting anytime from September through to March and this will be repeated most winters. When they go into a full moult some will look like they are oven ready but others will do it in stages so will retain a feather covering over most of their body. However all birds are individuals and can moult at any time. Their moult can also last different lengths of time. So really there is no answer to the original question - each bird will do it's own thing in it's own time 

[Raven81]

Thank you, that has put my mind at rest .  They have layers pellets down all day so can have them whenever they need.  They do not have many treats as I know the layers pellets are thing they need.