Spring Molt- how long no eggs?

[MadChicky]

I think my 3x 9-mos old chickens are molting. I have two barred rocks and one Easter egger. All were Hatched in late June 3020. All started laying in the late fall (nov). The Easter egger never really made it to reliable laying, stopping when the days grew shorter. Both barred rocks laid every day through early January before tapering off. My last egg was in late February right at the end of the severe polar vortex that hit us in Wisconsin with several weeks of -20 wind chills.

All three chickens are clearly losing feathers and have been since early March. Pin feathers are visible on neck and head mostly. Combs are pale - not severely so, but definitely no longer bright Red. I keep checking for mites and lice, but I can’t see anything. No signs of illness. They look a bit thinner, but I suspect it’s an illusion of feather loss. But they are active, no coughing/sneezing or changes in stool.

I put them on feather fixer/high protein diet and have been giving a few mealworms to increase protein about 2 weeks ago.

am I missing something? I thought chickens molted in fall. 9 mos seems really young. And is it common to have the whole flock molt simultaneously???

they are confined in coop (pine shavings) and run (sand) with occasional free range on the weekends. Great ventilation. Small urban lot in Midwestern city.

is this normal? Is it really molting or something else?
Thanks!

 

[Ascholten]

Id sprinkle some DE in their food in case they have worms. I do that for mine every month or so just as a precaution. Being they are so young, is it a molt / or getting their adult feathers in finally? Im sure the cold weather is not helpful either. A bit of apple cider vinegar in their water might be nice for them too.

Aaron

Edit: THe DE, I take about 2 lbs of pellets and put about a quarter cup of DE in it and mix it up until the pellets are coated nicely. Any excess powder just pour back for use next time. Feed them these for 3 days and it should help if they do have any worms. I had one that had a pale comb and after worming, the color came back in a week or so. They can have worm issues and appear healthy at first, but eventually worms can take their toll on them.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Does sound like molt. You can expect them to be off lay maybe 4-6 weeks, depending on how badly they're molting. Since this is a juvenile molt and days are continuing to lengthen the eggless period shouldn't last much longer than that.

 

[aart]

9 mos seems really young. And is it common to have the whole flock molt simultaneously???

is this normal? Is it really molting or something else?

Not a juvenile molt(they end at about 6 months),
but partial molt.
Yes, it's common at this age....tho odd it's happening in spring.
They'll come back around, more protein might be good, but it won't speed the process much.
What is their regular feed?

DE will do nothing to worm a bird.
ACV does nothing, best to have plain fresh water.

 

[Ascholten]

How long they will be out, Id say would depend on your bird too. one of mine only took off about a week of egg laying, another a good month. Given they are young, hopefully they spring back faster for you.
Aaron