20% of Flock is Doing Weird Molting...To Give Molt Muffins or Not?

[analyticalblonde]

Are you certain that they are not being feather pecked/plucked ? Can you post pictures ?

Tomorrow I will take pictures and post...I don't think they are being plucked because I have seen new feather shafts come in. But then again, I am not certain because of the odd molting. I have seen others peck at the girls when they lie down in the dirt and bask in the sunshine: I only thought it was because those girls want the spot in the sun and the ones who are going through the molt want to feel some comfort with the warmth, albeit only just for a moment during this winter.

There are feathers, everywhere!, in my run...so I am pretty sure it's a molt on the girls' part and not being feather pecked. I'll post pictures tomorrow of my girls who are molting...

Should I make molt muffins for them with there being 7 who are not in a molt?

 

[Henry&Friends]

I would give them the molt muffins, because I love watching them eat treats anyways

If you’re worried, is there any way you could separate the molting birds and give them molt muffins, and give the rest of the flock like... regular muffins? I bet they’d love that.

 

[analyticalblonde]

How old are they, in months?
Guessing they are under a year old and are having a partial molt, not unusual.


Probably not necessary, sounds like you have a pretty good diet going for them.
What are in molt muffins anyway?

Hi aart!

They are all the same age going on 10 months old.

Molt Muffins are small (think of the regular-sized muffins we get at the bakery) that are higher in protein content. They are offered when girls go into a molt to help supplement the demand for the additional protein needed for the development of the new feathers coming in.

One recipe:

3 Eggs, lightly beaten
¾ Cup water
2T Molasses
2/3 Cup Old-fashioned Oats
2/3 Cup Layer Crumble (or pellets moistened in a bit of water)
¼ Cup Wheat germ
¼ Cup Powdered Milk
3 Cloves Garlic, chopped
¼ Cup Fresh or Dried Parsley
1T each Fresh or Dried Basil, Dill, Marjoram and Tarragon
1 ½ Pounds Ground Beef (I think ground turkey would be better!)

Another recipe:

INGREDIENTS

1. 1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal
2. 1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds
3. 1/2 cup dried mealworms
4. 1/4 cup wheat germ
5. 2 tablespoons powdered milk
6. 1/4 cup raisins
7. 1/4 cup coconut oil, warmed to liquid
8. 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
9. 1 cup natural unsalted peanut butter
10. to hang the muffins you will need six large buttons (over 1" diameter so the chickens can't swallow them and baker's twine)