I just found out why my chickens aren't laying-they are moulting! The floor of the coop is covered in feathers and when I pick the birds up (to check for bugs-but they were clean) the feathers fall out in handfuls! This is January in eastern P.A and it is very cold-especially if you (or your birds) are naked! This does not seem like a very wise survival strategy for a bird-has anyone ever had a mid winter molt? Do I knit them sweaters?
Hi Jody! I had most of my birds molt for the first time this fall, and the last one to molt is a Black Australorp. She's in a devastating molt now, looks pitiful, way worse than the others put together. We just had a foot of snow last Thursday, (southeastern VA) and I was worried to death. But so far, she's fine. I'm just making sure they all have plenty to eat and drink. I know what you mean about the sweaters!
Jody
By HannahH on Monday, January 7, 2002 - 10:57 pm: