Dead molting hens

[aart]

And, I just researched and answered my own question....so...it is the bird's thyroid gland that produces the hormone which starts the molt. Thyroid gland failure and/ or cancer seems to be pretty common in many species....so maybe it is in poultry, too? Just a thought....

This sounds interesting, got a link for that?

 

[chicknmania]

Mixed, for the most part. Yes, I know most feed has corn in it; it smells like corn, even. But oh well. I like to give the flock variety and they seem to enjoy getting cracked corn. This past fall they were going out in to the field to get their own corn; a favorite pastime for some of them.

 

[chicknmania]

Not sure that applies to chickens.....
...also, did you know that most chicken feeds are mostly corn anyway.


Do you add it to the FR, or feed it separately?

This sounds interesting, got a link for that?

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/ind...h-management/moulting-feather-loss/laying-hen

I can't find the other article that was talking about it. Here's another article I found interesting though as it discusses the pineal gland which also contributes to the molting process:

http://www.lonestarfarmstead.com/animal-care/understanding-chicken-molt-moult/