5 Top Tips For Helping Chickens Get Through The Molt
- Make sure to give them good quality feed with a high protein percentage (20% or better).
- Give them clean water with vitamin and electrolyte powder added.
- Inside the coop make sure there is lots of clean and fluffy bedding.
- You should keep stress down to a minimum. This means no visitors, no changes and no additions to the flock.
- For an extra boost give them high protein treats like cat food, tuna, scrambled eggs and sunflower seeds.
What should I Feed my molting chickens?
You should always feed your chickens a feed that contains the right amount of protein this will depend on their current life cycle and time of year. Other protein foods should be considered a treat and not the main source of protein that you feed your molting chickens.
What should I Feed my chicks?
Chickens can also be fed oats that contain 11-14% protein. You can also mix barley into your chicken’s feed which contains around 11.5 % protein content and healthy amounts of fiber. You should always feed your chickens a feed that contains the right amount of protein this will depend on their current life cycle and time of year.
What do chickens need to grow feathers?
To grow feathers, your flock needs lots and lots of protein. In addition to a high quality layer feed (you can get my favorite feed recipe here), you’ll want to give your chickens extra protein. Mealworms (or suet cakes made with mealworms) are a good supplement.
Should I Feed my chickens free-ranging feed?
While commercial chicken feed is formulated for optimal nutrition, free-ranging can help chickens get the extra protein needed during molts. The creepy crawlies and flying things living in your lawn are all animal protein.
What to feed chickens when they are molting?
In addition to a high quality layer feed (you can get my favorite feed recipe here), you'll want to give your chickens extra protein. Mealworms (or suet cakes made with mealworms) are a good supplement. You can also feed raw, unsalted nuts, kelp, freshwater shrimp, grubs, or crickets.
Do chickens eat when they are molting?
In the case of molting though, not laying eggs is totally normal and part of their natural self-defense to conserve nutrients and stay healthy during a molt. Because they are not laying eggs, molting chickens will eat less of their free-choice calcium during this time too.
What to feed chickens to regrow feathers?
The best possible thing you can do for your hen when she is trying to regrow her feathers, due to molting or any other reason, is to up the protein content of her food. Switch to a game bird feed or another option with added protein – you should look for 22 percent protein in the feed.
How much protein do molting chickens need?
Normally, we should be feeding our chickens a quality feed at about 16% protein. During molting season, consider switching the feed to a formula that is a bit higher in protein, to at least 18%.
What foods are high in protein for chickens?
Top 10 high-protein treats for chickensDried Mealworms. At 53 % protein, Dried Mealworms are by far our chooks' favourite protein-rich treat. ... Dried Soldier Fly Larvae. ... Insects. ... Seeds. ... Non-medicated chick starter. ... Sprouts. ... Worms. ... Eggs.More items...•
How do I give my hens calcium?
Common Sources of Supplemental CalciumCrushed oyster shells- often sold at feed stores next to the layer feed (Highly Recommended!)Crushed eggshells- dry eggshells, crush them, and feed them back to your hens (Not Recommended as a replacement for oyster shells - *see below)More items...•
What months do chickens molt?
Most hens will have their first moult around the age of 18 months, and whilst it is usually in the autumn, some hens will buck the trend and moult in the summer. On average, a moult can normally take from 8 to 12 weeks but can last longer.
How do I encourage my chickens to grow feathers?
There are many ways that you can help supplement a hen's diet and increase their protein intake to ensure healthy feather re-growth.Free-Range the Yard. ... Enlist Garden Clean-Up Help. ... Offer Chick Feed. ... Feed Cooked Eggs. ... Bulk-Order Mealworms. ... Cut Carbs and Scratch.
How do you treat feather loss in chickens?
Growing Feathers Back Maintain your chickens' living space - clean the coop, roost, and nesting boxes regularly. Provide dietary protein - Make sure your chickens have a diet rich in protein. Offer protein-rich treats such as meal worms and sunflower seeds in moderation.
What grain has the most protein for chickens?
Fortunately, although wheat slows down digestion, you can substitute it with corn because it contains more protein. Other popular whole grain options include oats, millet, and rye.
What is the best vitamin for layers?
Optimum vitamin nutrition of laying hensVitamins (added to air-dried feed)Replacement pulletsLaying hensVitamin E (mg/kg)20–3015–302Vitamin K3 (mg/kg)1–32–3Vitamin B1 (mg/kg)1.0–2.51.0–2.5Vitamin B2 (mg/kg)4–74–711 more rows
What is the best food for high-protein?
Good Protein SourcesSeafood.White-Meat Poultry.Milk, Cheese, and Yogurt.Eggs.Beans.Pork Tenderloin.Soy.Lean Beef.More items...
What are the signs of chickens molting?
How to tell when a chicken's about to start moulting.Your garden starts to look like a feather pillow has been burst over it.Random bald spots may begin appearing on your chickens and the comb and wattles look dull.Fluffy down begins to appear as the main feathers fall out.Egg production starts to reduce.More items...
How long does it take for a chicken to molt?
How long do chickens molt? The molting period will last for 4-12 weeks depending on the chicken. On average it will take 7-8 weeks.
What month do chickens molt?
fallChickens typically go through their first adult molt at approximately 18 months old. Usually, adult molting occurs in the late summer or fall and the replacement feathers are fully in within eight-12 weeks.
How do you tell if chicken is molting or has mites?
How Do You Tell If Chicken Is Molting or Has Mites? Look for signs of mites or lice, such as decreased activity, dirty vent feathers, pale combs, appetite changes, weight loss, reduced egg production, ragged-looking feathers, bald spots, and feather-pulling.
When do chickens molt?
Inconveniently, chickens tend to molt in the late fall or early winter; breeding season is over, and your flock will start to grow new feathers.
So, how often do chickens molt?
Usually every year, although the severity of the molt (meaning how many feathers they’ll lose varies from hen to hen and the year.)
How long does molting last?
Almost universally, when I encounter a new backyard flock owner who has chickens molting, I’m asked “how long does chicken molting last?” and the answer probably won’t satisfy you.
Chickens molting or mites?
When your chickens start to lose their feathers, it can seem similar to a mite infestation. However, the two present differently, so using these rules of thumb, you can confidently know whether your chickens are molting or if there’s a more serious issue.
What should I feed a molting hen or rooster?
Your molting chickens’ diet is extremely important. To grow feathers, your flock needs lots and lots of protein. In addition to a high quality layer feed (you can get my favorite feed recipe here ), you’ll want to give your chickens extra protein.
1. Pack the protein
Just like humans, birds need a different diet depending on their current activity or life stage. Protein is the key nutrient in a flock’s diet during molt. Feathers are made of 80-85 percent protein, whereas eggshells are primarily calcium.
2. Keep stress low
While on vacation, people generally want plenty of comfort and room to relax. It isn’t so different inside the coop during molt. Keep molting chickens comfortable by preventing stress.
3. Transition back to layer feed
Once birds are ready to return from vacation and begin producing eggs, it’s time to adjust the nutrient profile to match their energy needs once again.
Why Do Chickens Molt? Common Causes
Some chickens may molt at younger ages than others due to abnormalities in hormone fluctuations, such as tumors on the pituitary glands or ovaries.
When Do Chickens Molt?
Chickens usually molt in the late summer or early fall; this is the most common time to see chickens molting as they go into their natural resting period, which can last up to six months for some breeds.
How Often and Long Do Chickens Molt?
It depends on the breed and why they are molting. Some may go into molt a few times a year while others only once every three years.
Can You Avoid Molting Chickens?
Molting is inevitable. Even if you are doing everything right, your hens will still go through the molting process every year.
5 Tips to Take Care of Molting Chickens (Summer, Spring, and Winter)
Here are some easy steps for caring your backyard boys and girls during molting process-
Chicken Molting Diet: What to Feed Molting Chickens?
The molting process is very stressful for chickens because their bodies go through a regeneration phase where they need certain nutrients to help them grow intense rather than weak.
Chicken Molting or Sick: How to Identify?
A hens molting is not something to worry about if you manage it adequately. However, if you notice irregularities in your hen’s behavior or the feathers are falling out quickly, it might be necessary to contact the vet since she might be sick.
Chicken Molting Explained
Humans shed skin cells, animals shed hair, snakes will shed a skin and chickens shed feathers.
Molting Care Guide
During the molt you need to watch your flock carefully for any signs of illness.
5 Top Tips For Helping Chickens Get Through The Molt
Make sure to give them good quality feed with a high protein percentage (20% or better).
Molting and Egg Laying
As your chickens go into molt, you’ll notice their egg laying slows down or stops altogether.This is because instead of converting protein into the egg whites you cook into delicious, nutritious breakfasts, your hens use dietary protein to make new feathers instead. It’s these fresh feathers that will keep them warm through winter.
1. Free-Range the Yard
While commercial chicken feed is formulated for optimal nutrition, free-ranging can help chickens get the extra protein needed during molts. The creepy crawlies and flying things living in your lawn are all animal protein. There is no such thing as a vegetarian diet for a free-ranging chicken!
2. Enlist Garden Clean-Up Help
As you clean out the garden and turn the soil, employ your less-feathered friends for help. They’ll gobble up all the bugs and plants you unearth.
3. Offer Chick Feed
If you’re feeding young pullets chick feed, like I am, give some to your molting hens. Chick feed has higher protein content than layer feed. While it shouldn’t completely substitute layer feed, it’s OK for your hens to eat it for the relatively short amount of time you’re waiting for your pullets to begin laying.
4. Feed Cooked Eggs
Your flock supplies you and your family with food, so consider sharing the wealth. Whip up some warm scrambled eggs and feed them back to the hens on chilly fall mornings. They love eggs!
5. Bulk-Order Mealworms
Freeze-dried mealworms are packed with protein, they last longer than living mealworms, and the best part is, they don’t squirm. If you order them in bulk, you can save some cash. Feed them to your chickens as treats, sprinkle on a scrambled egg ration, or scatter them for free-ranging fun.
6. Cut Carbs and Scratch
If you aren’t able to supplement your flock’s diet with extra protein, at least temporarily, stop supplementing with high-carb kitchen scraps, like breads and cereals, and eliminate the use of chicken scratch.
What to expect?
After the old feathers are dropped, you will see the new baby feathers growing in their place. Pin feathers look a bit like quills popping out, but are developing feathers encased in a keratin coating and temporarily have a blood supply as the feather is regrowing inside.
How to care for molting chickens?
During molting season, there are a few things you as the chicken owner can do to help your flock. Simple and easy swaps in feed and a little TLC will decrease the stress of the season and have the feathered again in time for the frosty nights ahead.
1. Switch to high protein feed
When I start seeing a drop in egg production and a few more feathers floating around the yard, I know it’s time to switch from layer feed to a higher protein mix. Chicken feathers are primarily made up of protein, so to help support your flock nutritionally you’ll need to increase their protein intake.
2. Swap for high protein snacks and treats
Now’s the time to treat your ladies with protein-packed goodies. So to care for molting chickens swap the chicken scratch for high protein snacks like sunflower seeds, mealworms, meat scraps, scrambled eggs, or even a little bit of yogurt. If you really want to spoil your flock, consider trying out Fresh Eggs Daily’s Molt Meatloaf!
4. Ferment their feed
Fermented feed helps your chicken’s digestive system get maximum nutrition out of their food plus the healthy dose of probiotics. Fermenting feed is simple. Just place a ration of feed in a bucket or mason jar depending on your flock size. Fill with water several inches above the feed. Allow to sit for 2-3 days until foamy bubbles form on top.
5. Supplemental Heat
If the winter snuck up on your hens this year or your flock molted later in the season, you might consider adding a heat lamp in the coop. Something to elevate the temperature a few degrees overnight, so the chill doesn’t stress your chicken’s system so hard. Just make extra sure the lamp is safely secured and won’t be a fire hazard.
