Moulting

What moulting is

Moulting is the natural process where a hen sheds her old, worn feathers and grows a fresh set. It happens once a year in most adult hens, and it is completely normal — not a sign of illness. Feathers take a battering over a year of laying, dust-bathing and weather, so the annual moult is the bird's way of replacing them all at once.

When it happens in the UK

In a UK garden the moult is usually triggered by shortening daylight in autumn, typically from September through to November. Most hens have a hard moult in their second autumn and every autumn after. Younger birds reaching point of lay in their first year often skip a full moult, or have only a light one, before settling into the yearly pattern. The whole process can take anywhere from three or four weeks in a quick moulter to two or three months in a slow one.

The drop in laying

This is the part that surprises new keepers. Growing feathers takes a lot of protein and energy, and a hen simply cannot do that and lay eggs at the same time. So as she moults, she stops or slows right down on eggs — often for the entire moult. Combined with the shorter autumn days (which also reduce laying), it is common to find your egg basket nearly empty from October into the new year. This is not a problem to fix; she will come back into lay once her new plumage is finished and the days lengthen again.

The scruffy look

A moulting hen can look alarming. You may find piles of feathers in the run, bald patches on the neck, breast or back, and the new feathers — called "pins" — pushing through the skin like little quills. She may look tatty, hunched and miserable, and some hens go quiet or off their usual selves. The new pin feathers have a blood supply and are tender, so she may not want to be handled. As long as she is eating, drinking and bright-eyed, this is all part of the process.

Supporting hens through the moult

You can make the moult easier and quicker:

• Extra protein is the main thing. Feathers are roughly 85% protein, so offer a higher-protein feed or treats such as mealworms, sunflower hearts, cooked egg or a dedicated moulting supplement.
• Reduce stress. Avoid introducing new birds, worming, or other big changes mid-moult, and handle tender hens gently.
• Keep them warm and dry. A part-feathered hen feels the cold, so make sure the coop is draught-free and snug.

A good moult, well supported, sets a hen up for a strong laying year ahead. For more on keeping your flock in good condition, see our guide to keeping chickens healthy. And don't mistake a moult for a hen going broody — the two look very different once you know the signs.