Do I need to feed my chickens more protein during the molting process?

[eggsr4me]

I have read that protein helps with the regrowth of feathers and it is a good idea to increase the protein during the molting process.
My chickens free range the yard everyday. With all the bugs, worms and insects they eat during the day, do I need to add more protein?

 

[Kelsie2290]

One other thing to keep in mind is even if they free range you can't be sure what they are actually finding, what is available will really vary by time of year and how many chickens there are and how well they have picked the range over. To some extent it is personal preference, some people never up their protein, they just get 16% Layer all year. If they seem to be having a hard molt or are slow about it, or don't seem to be in good condition other than the feather loss, I prefer to. It does seem to get them back to laying sooner.

 

[eggsr4me]

Thank you for your input. My one hen is having a hard molt, lost alot of feathers. The other one is loosing quite a bit too, but not as much as the one. The others are loosing feathers but are not looking too bad. I may try increasing the protein for a while.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

There are a bunch of different things people do when it comes to feeding their birds that are in molt. Some people give their birds supplements, some people don't. Either way works, just as long as the birds have access to food.

I like my birds with strong, healthy feathers, so I give them a supplement of B.O.S.S. (black oil sunflower seed), Calf Manna, kitten food, cracked corn, race horse oats, grit, and oyster shell; which is only 5% of their diet. I give it to them year round, but decrease the amount given when they aren't molting.

 

[eggsr4me]

Thank you, I appreciate all the help. I am new to raising chickens and have a lot to learn. I may try some of the things you listed here.

 

[Michael Apple]

I mix half game bird ration or meat bird ration with the layer ration. I tried Calf Manna years ago and chickens always refused it. Even then, if you use Calf Manna, use it sparingly as too much can make them sick. Methionine and Lysine amino acids are important during molt. So is vitamin/mineral supplementation. A good vitamin/mineral supplement like Avian Super Pack has the best balance of vitamins/minerals for water supplementation. I use 1/4 tsp per gallon and a 1/2 tsp of Probios dispersible powder during molt.

 

[eggsr4me]

Thank you, sounds like this is something to add to their diet during their molting period.

 

[ShinShien]

There are a bunch of different things people do when it comes to feeding their birds that are in molt. Some people give their birds supplements, some people don't. Either way works, just as long as the birds have access to food.

I like my birds with strong, healthy feathers, so I give them a supplement of B.O.S.S. (black oil sunflower seed), Calf Manna, kitten food, cracked corn, race horse oats, grit, and oyster shell; which is only 5% of their diet. I give it to them year round, but decrease the amount given when they aren't molting.

Mine get about the same things, except no corn or oats. They get gamebird/showbird feed mixed into layer crumble and lots of yogurt soup. 1:1 ratio plain Greek yogurt and water.

 

[aggiemae]

I feed mine extra protein and some fat when they are molting especially if they are having what I call a "heavy" molt. We went away from Friday morning to Sunday evening and judging from the feather colors like our (of eight) started molting over the weekend) and two of them have already lost about 1/2 of their neck feathers. It's not a pretty sight.

 

[farmchickutah]

With 60 hens this molting process is taking forever and it is getting in the 20s at night , so I wish they would hurry and get their feathers back. I don't think it is bothering them as much as it is me!