Healthy Feathers Start Here: Nutritional Support for Molting Chickens

Healthy Feathers Start from the Inside Out

This is my molting Welsummer.

If you've kept chickens for any length of time, you've likely noticed a period each year when your chickens suddenly look a little ragged. Feathers drop, egg production slows- or even stops- and your once glossy, well-dressed flock looks like it's been through a windstorm. This natural process is called the annual molt, and while it may seem alarming, it's an essential part of your chickens' health and well-being.

What is Molting?

Molting is the process where chickens shed old, worn-out feathers and grow fresh, new ones. It typically happens once a year, anytime after June 21st, which is the longest day of the year but often in late summer or early fall, as daylight hours shorten. Feathers are made mostly of protein (keratin) and just like humans hair and nails, they wear down over time. Molting ensures your birds are well-feathered and insulated for the colder months ahead.

How Molting Affects Chickens

Molting is a physiologically demanding process for chickens. Feathers are about 85-90% protein, meaning your chickens' bodies must redirect nutrients- especially protein and certain minerals- away from egg production and into feather regrowth.

Here's what you can expect during a molt:

• Reduced or halted egg laying: Hens usually pause or slow down egg production since resources are focused on feather regrowth.

• Scruffy appearance: Patchy or bare spots are common as old feathers fall out before new ones emerge.

• Increased nutritional needs: Their bodies are working overtime to grow thousands of new feathers.

• Higher stress levels: Molt is tough on chickens, so they may be more sensitive to changes in environment or flock dynamics.

Why Nutritional Support is Crucial

Because molt is such a nutrient-intensive process, supporting your flock nutritionally can make a huge difference in how quickly and smoothly they recover. Poor nutrition during molt can lead to slow feather regrowth, prolonged gaps in egg laying and birds entering winter without a full, insulating feather coat.

Key nutrients to focus on include:

• Protein (Amino Acids): Essential for feather regrowth. Feathers are made mostly of protein, so providing a higher-protein diet (21%) helps speed recovery.

• Amino Acids (like Methionine & Lysine): Critical building blocks for strong, healthy feathers.

• Vitamins & Minerals: Vitamins A,D and E, along with biotin and zinc, all play roles in feather and skin health.

• Energy: Chickens need sufficient calories to fuel both daily activity and feather production.

How to Help Your Flock Through A Molt

1. Switch to a higher-protein ration: Switching from layer feed to a non- medicated chick starter/grower feed during a molt to give your chickens extra protein (amino acids) is definitely beneficial. Make sure to offer your hens that are still laying, a side dish of oyster shell.

2. Provide vitamin and mineral supplements like Chick' N Swell Vitamins: Especially helpful for backyard flocks that may not always get a perfectly balanced diet.

3. Reduce Stress: Keep handling to a minimum, provide plenty of space.

4. Be patient: Molting takes time, usually 8-12 weeks. With proper nutrition, your flock will come back looking better than ever.

Notice all the pin feathers on top of her head. Her head feathers are normally black.

Support Your Flock with Chick' N Swell Vitamins

Our Chick' N Swell Vitamins are specially formulated to give your flock the extra boost they need during demanding times like a molt. Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, this supplement helps:

• Promote faster, stronger feather regrowth

• Support immunity during this stressful period

• Improve overall vitality so hens bounce back quickly

• Prepare birds for the cold months ahead with a healthy feather coat

Simply add Chick' N Swell Vitamins to your chickens' daily routine and give them the nutritional support they need to come through a molt looking and feeling their best.

Make Molting Easier This Year

Molting doesn't have to be a stressful season for you-or your chickens. With proper care and the nutritional support of Chick' N Swell Vitamins your flock will transition smoothly, regrow gorgeous feathers and return to laying strong, healthy eggs when their bodies are ready.

Give your chickens the care they deserve during a molt- because healthy feathers start from the inside out.

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