breed, adult chickens will generally moult once a year for a period of approximately 90 days. This estimated time frame of the moulting process of chickens depends on the nutrition of the bird, with better fed chickens moulting in less duration. Moulting occurs during the fall with some breeds moulting once in two years or twice a year.

The moulting time in the fall is variable, depending on when the chicken originally begins to lay her eggs. But from the moment of her hatching, the chick's early life will begin with a series of moulting stages until it reaches eight months of age, known as the pullet chicken, where the egg-laying stages will begin:

Stage One: this complete moulting stage occurs from 1 to 6 weeks of age. Stage Two: a partial moulting stage will occur at 7 to 9 weeks of age. Stage Three: another partial moulting stage will occur at 12 to 16 weeks of age Stage Four: the final partial moulting stage occurs at 20 to 22 weeks of age when the tail feathers will grow

ORDER OF THE MOULT

Moulting is a planned natural process which leaves bare patches of skin in between patches of lost feathers, giving the chicken a rather "scruffy" look. With the first feathers dropping from the head and neck, the following areas will be from the body area, followed by the wings and tail. Egg production will not cease until the primary feathers of the wing feathers begin leaving, with excellent layers continuing laying eggs up to that point.

Before moulting, the feathers of the chicken are small and hard with a very tattered or frayed look about them. But once the moulting is complete, the new feathers are much softer and larger, with a much whiter and fuller appearance about them. With the new quill of the new feather taking about 6 to 7 weeks to develop, the moult is not considered complete until all primary flight feathers are completely replaced.

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