The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: countrygirlatheart on August 15, 2009, 03:26:44 pm

Title: why haven't my hens moulted?
Post by: countrygirlatheart on August 15, 2009, 03:26:44 pm

My four girls were bought as POL at the end of May 2008.  From what I've read they should have moulted by now but there's been no feather loss.   Is this unusual?

Title: Re: why haven't my hens moulted?
Post by: little blue on August 15, 2009, 07:36:58 pm

Ours didn't moult the first year, and now seem to do it in stages, one at a time.
Don't worry too much, at least you shouldn't miss out on eggs!

Title: Re: why haven't my hens moulted?
Post by: doganjo on August 15, 2009, 09:59:13 pm

Mine are only starting to moult now and not a great deal as yet

Title: Re: why haven't my hens moulted?
Post by: Roxy on August 15, 2009, 11:38:27 pm

Mine have not started moulting yet, although my OH works at a farm, and their hens are moulting like mad. 

Title: Re: why haven't my hens moulted?
Post by: sabrina on August 17, 2009, 04:01:29 pm

could be the weather, my ponies have their winter coats already, maybe they know something we don't. My chickens have not gone through a moult yet either  ???

Title: Re: why haven't my hens moulted?
Post by: JulieS on August 17, 2009, 05:03:43 pm

I got mine as POL in April this year and they aren't showing any signs of moulting yet either.

Title: Re: why haven't my hens moulted?
Post by: BlackRocks on August 17, 2009, 07:41:06 pm

I got my hens at POL this May, so like you but a year later. The supplier clipped their wings for me. She then said that they wouldn't need doing again until Autumn 2010 after their first moult so I guess you are looking at any time now?

Title: Re: why haven't my hens moulted?
Post by: MiriMaran on August 17, 2009, 08:13:50 pm

Some of mine have started moulting, but most haven't yet.

Title: Re: why haven't my hens moulted?
Post by: countrygirlatheart on August 17, 2009, 09:52:07 pm

thanks for the replies - good to know they're not abnormal then!

now just hoping they get their new gear on in time for the weather getting colder