How long will my Marans lose feathers for..

[Smoggy67]

Marans have been moulting feathers since I got them a week ago, feathers everywhere - sick of picking them up... lol

How long do they moult for? Could this be a reason for now laying an egg?

I got more eggs with 4 warrens than I am with all of these - total thus far = 0

Even the warrens have stopped...

[CoraxAurata]

Its the time of year for them to moult and moving house often seems to trigger it and not laying too -it is the most stress full event in a human life so.....

How long can vary depending on what you're feeding them and general condition oif each bird etc a little extra protein and oils will help, I'm drawing a blank at the mo (brain full of the cold) as to what actual food but poultry spice is recomended too.

[Nicos]

This is my first moult for my birds- which I've had since last November.
Yup- egg production has dropped too.
No idea how long a moult lasts- I have 15 chooks and the place looks like a pillow fight's been going on!!!

I am however collecting some of the prettier feathers- no idea why- but some of them are so pretty in the sunlight!

[Smoggy67]

Likewise Nicos, looks like Slumberland explosion in my back garden ..lol

Feeding main diet of layer pellets, but they free range all day and get the odd treat......

Will try a bit of spice and see if that helps, but guess its just natural then..

Must say that despite the house move and thenew clan of friends, they are all living together very happily now,even to the point where they leave there own breed and intermix throughout the day..

After the grief I had first time round, I guess I should be thankful for small mercies...

[Nicos]

I found this ..it's got a bit in it about Marans and laying!

Laid to make your mouth water - Telegraph

[MaureenHall]

I think they take 3 - 4 weeks to go through a moult. Give them a bit of Poultry Spice in their feed to boost them up a bit

[CoraxAurata]

LOL most ofmy ducks are also moulting 20 Silver Appleyards, 2 Runner Ducks anout a dozen Marans hens and 2 of the Dorkings all moulting means lots and lots of feathers! OH gets very upset about it and if the weather is fit will take the mower with the bag on to pick them up! next to no eggs either (though most of the S.A. are boys so would be surprised to get eggs there ) Still means now is a good time for a round of worming etc, to make sure all is tip top before winter and showing season....

[Bramble-Poultry]

smoggy it can take up to a month to mouth through and then another couple of weeks to come back onto lay - it depends on how old the girls are to start with.

Glad they have settled in well though - it certainly makes life easier when they do.

I'm not getting many eggs either - its the same all round I think.

[Suechooks]

My old speckledy has been on a slow moult since July (when the hut was broken in to) and hasn't laid since then either. The last time she did this was 2 years ago when we had a previous break in and she was the only one not stolen. That time she didn't lay for 3 months.
In total contrast my Amber link started moulting and still is but only stopp ed laying for 3 weeks.