Managing the Annual Moult in Backyard Chickens

Understanding the MoultThe moult typically begins 12–18 months after a hen starts laying and occurs annually thereafter, usually triggered by shorter day length in autumn. It begins with the head feathers and progresses down the neck, body, wings, and tail over 6–12 weeks. During this period, the hen's body diverts protein and energy to feather production — which is metabolically expensive. Most hens stop laying entirely during the moult and resume 4–8 weeks after the moult is complete.N…