What is it? Basically, a large number of the chickens’ feather
fall out and new ones grow in, usually in autumn. Many of the
old feathers are broken, ragged, and at the end of the laying
season, lackluster. By molting, they have new ones that will
protect them from the cold and–in nature–ensure they can fly
adequately if a predator comes after them. When hens molt, they
also stop laying eggs so the energy of developing eggs goes into
growing feathers. It’s like a rest for the hen from laying eggs
for a short while. Like many things, the molt is triggered by
the amount of light a bird receives. So, when the days grow
shorter, its a signal to the bird body that its time to take a
rest from laying and start growing new feathers. Its always a
shock to come out to the pen and see a huge pile of feathers
lying on the ground or inside the coop. Often, my first thought
is: which bird was eaten last night? But, happily, most often
its the beginning of molt season. I always hate the fact that I
have to buy store eggs a