Chickens typically molt once a year, usually starting in the late summer or fall, as daylight hours shorten and the weather cools. The first adult molt generally occurs around 15 to 18 months of age. During this molting period, which lasts about 8 to 12 weeks (though it can be shorter or longer), chickens lose their old feathers and grow new ones. This process is energy-intensive and often causes a temporary drop or stop in egg production. Molting helps chickens prepare for colder weather by renewing their feathers to keep warm. There are two juvenile molts before the first annual adult molt. The first juvenile molt happens when chicks are about 6 to 8 days old, replacing down with feathers. The second occurs between 7 to 12 weeks old and replaces those initial feathers with more mature ones. The adult molts then follow annually after the first one at 15-18 months. Molting usually begins in the fall when days get shorter, signaling the birds to stop egg laying and start feather regrowth. However, exact timing and the intensity of molting can vary by individual chickens and breed.