Birds of a Feather...

Chickens are interesting creatures to watch.  They are entertaining and have their own personalities.  They have habits and rituals like people do.  For instance, they roost at the same spot each night.  It is a similar phenomenon how people sit in the same pew at church each Sunday morning.  We have our spot, by golly, and no one is going to take it from us!

Our hens also go through the same things each year at the same time.  One, for instance, is the reduction in egg output as the number of daylight hours go down.  Another is their propensity to molt at this time.  Not all, but some.  You can see the Black Star hen below has not started molting.  However, the Barred Rock behind her?  She is a sad spectacle to behold.

Just look at this sad looking bird, would you?  She looks embarrassed that I am taking her picture with her feathers looking so undone.  Here's what's going on.  After a year of full feathers, the tired, worn, faded feathers are falling off.  They are being refreshed with brand new feathers that will cover the bird and keep her warm throughout the winter months.  As ugly as she looks now, be patient.  She'll look like a million bucks shortly.  Amidst the faded feathers, you can see the new ones coming in.  Right now they are just pin feathers - feathers that are rolled up tight.  But they'll keep growing and push through the hair follicle to emerge as new feathers.

Soon the molt will be over and this hen will look presentable again.  Not only that, but her new feathers will keep her warm as the north winds begin to blow.  A new feather coat just in time for winter!