Empty feeders = Missing feathers?

[Ridgerunner]

newbie lesson learned.

That's the important thing. I doubt any real harm was done.

Finding someone to take care of the chickens is one of my headaches. An outstanding young graduated high school and left for college. That happened twice. A gentleman lost his day job and moved. A friend loved doing it but was afraid of a rooster.

There are ways to set it up so you don't have to feed and water daily. I don't use them but they usually involve large water or feed reservoirs that feed as needed, usually by gravity. But I'd still want someone checking daily just to be sure they are working. What if your water freezes or the reservoir leaks? Or the gravity feeder gets jammed? Some people are comfortable doing that, I'm not.

 

[FortCluck]

Congratulations to your son. I think you've got some good advice from others.

 

[sorce]

Everything I've read says it sounds like molting, don't they need more nutrition to regrow the feathers?

Plus winters a coming on top of it.

Reckon weren't no fighting. You may have just underestimated the recent upswing in caloric intake, which could have started one day into your trip.

Sorce

 

[cmom]

I have 40# feeders in all of my coops. I fill them once a week. All of the coops have auto waterers. Do you have a male? Maybe being confined he got a little anxious. I retired 10 years ago. We did do some trips in the past from Florida to Michigan and to the Northeast, Mass, NH and Maine. We had a reliable fellow that would care for the birds. Sadly he died of a heart attack so we don't go anymore. Hubby has Parkinson's and over the years it has gotten worse. We don't live on a mountain but do live on a hill (Hilltop Farm) which is one of the highest points in our county. We rarely leave the hill anymore either. Congratulations on the marriage of your son.

 

[cmom]

If the birds are molting (mine are), try some higher protein feed. Their feathers are made of primarily protein. I use Game Bird Breeder. Soon I'll be setting up the breeding pens and I up their protein during breeding season.

She was a champion at a show.

 

[NHMountainMan]

Everything I've read says it sounds like molting, don't they need more nutrition to regrow the feathers?

Plus winters a coming on top of it.

Reckon weren't no fighting. You may have just underestimated the recent upswing in caloric intake, which could have started one day into your trip.

Sorce

They are only about 6 months old. I've heard they won't molt the first year, but I will be on the lookout - thanks for the reminder about molting!

 

[NHMountainMan]

I have 40# feeders in all of my coops. I fill them once a week. All of the coops have auto waterers. Do you have a male? Maybe being confined he got a little anxious. I retired 10 years ago. We did do some trips in the past from Florida to Michigan and to the Northeast, Mass, NH and Maine. We had a reliable fellow that would care for the birds. Sadly he died of a heart attack so we don't go anymore. Hubby has Parkinson's and over the years it has gotten worse. We don't live on a mountain but do live on a hill (Hilltop Farm) which is one of the highest points in our county. We rarely leave the hill anymore either. Congratulations on the marriage of your son.

Thank you. And I am sorry to hear of your hubby's challenges. One of my best friends is dealing with Parkinson's, so I'm familiar with it. I hope meds keep it from progressing, and that you enjoy your time on the Hilltop!

 

[NHMountainMan]

If the birds are molting (mine are), try some higher protein feed. Their feathers are made of primarily protein. I use Game Bird Breeder. Soon I'll be setting up the breeding pens and I up their protein during breeding season.
View attachment 1941798
She was a champion at a show. View attachment 1941802

I know that TSC sells something called "feather fixer" with a 22% portion mix. I don't think I'm dealing with molt, because they are only 6 months old. But should I switch to the higher protein to help them regrow the missing feathers? thanks as always!

 

[NHMountainMan]

If the birds are molting (mine are), try some higher protein feed. Their feathers are made of primarily protein. I use Game Bird Breeder. Soon I'll be setting up the breeding pens and I up their protein during breeding season.
View attachment 1941798
She was a champion at a show. View attachment 1941802

PS - beautiful birds!

 

[cmom]

I know that TSC sells something called "feather fixer" with a 22% portion mix. I don't think I'm dealing with molt, because they are only 6 months old. But should I switch to the higher protein to help them regrow the missing feathers? thanks as always!

The birds will go through several molts their first year. You may not notice but they do. After their first year they then usually molt once a year and some molts can be heavy where you may notice the feather loss and some light where you hardly see any feather loss. Also usually Grower feeds are higher in protein too. I would try the feather fixer. My birds are molting now. Usually in the late summer/fall is generally when they molt. If you have ever noticed Canadian Geese usually mill around a pond around August, It's because they are molting and loose their flight feathers and usually can escape predators by going in the water.