How does molting effect chicken egg laying?

Answer 1

Molting is the renewal of feathers. A chicken molts each year. They lose the older feathers, and grow new ones. Most hens stop or drastically slow egg production until after the molt is completed. The rate of lay for some breeds may not be affected, but their molting time is longer. Hens referred to as "late molters" will lay for 12 to 14 months before molting, while others, referred to as "early molters," may begin to molt after only a few months in production. Late molters are generally the better laying hens and will have a more ragged and tattered covering of feathers. The early molters are generally poorer layers and have a smoother, better-groomed appearance throughout the molt.

Answer 2

Chicken moulting is when a chicken sheds it's old, dead feathers to grow newer, healthier feathers.

Answer 3

They usually start molting in late July early august and are finished by November or December to be ready for the winter.

Answer 4

Egg production stops or at least decreases dramatically. All the hens energies and nutrition goes toward the renewal of the feathers at this time.