What to Feed Chickens During Molt
During molt, protein is the whole game. Here's how to bump it, what to cut back on, and how to get your hens through it faster.
Molt is rough to watch. Your hens look terrible, they’re not laying, and there’s not much you can do to speed it up. But there is one thing that makes a real difference: protein.
Why protein is the whole game
A feather is about 85% protein. During molt, your hens are essentially building a new coat from scratch, and they’re pulling protein from wherever they can get it. If their regular feed is 16% protein (standard layer feed) and they’re redirecting most of that to feather growth, there’s not much left over for anything else.
Bumping protein to 18 to 20% during molt helps them grow feathers faster and come out of it in better shape. The difference between a flock on 16% protein and one on 20% during molt is visible — better feather quality, shorter molt duration, faster return to laying.
How to get there
Option 1: Switch to a higher-protein feed. Some feeds marketed for molt or “flock raiser” feeds run 18 to 20%. A temporary switch during molt makes sense.
Option 2: Supplement with high-protein treats. Dried mealworms are the most practical option — high protein, easy to offer, and hens will line up for them. Black soldier fly larvae are even higher in protein if you can find them. Scrambled eggs are another option.
Option 3: Combination. Keep the regular feed and add mealworms as a daily supplement during the molt period.
Pearl molts every fall and is usually done in about 8 weeks. I add mealworms daily during that stretch — she’s noticeably faster through molt than the rest of the flock and I’m convinced the extra protein is most of the reason.
Recommended: Dried mealworms for chickens on Amazon →
What to pull back during molt
Sugary treats and scratch — they’re empty calories during a period when your hens need protein above almost everything else. If treats have crept up to a bigger share of the diet than they should be, our scratch and treats guide covers why that matters.
Should you turn the lights on during molt?
Generally no. Let them finish, then add light if you want to extend their laying season into winter. If your hens stopped laying and you’re not sure if it’s molt or something else, five reasons chickens stop laying walks through the diagnosis.
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Molt is the one time of year when feed really shows its importance. If you’re not sure your regular feed is dialed in for your flock’s setup — before or after molt — the quiz gives you a specific recommendation based on your actual birds.
Your flock's diet matters more than any single treat.
Get a feeding plan built for your actual hens — not generic advice from the internet.
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