Feather Fixer ~ Good for molting hen(s)?

[TwoCrows]

Me too! She is NUTS for the starter feed, btw
She was just bare skinned, with a few feathers, now, she has lots of pin feathers coming in. I can’t wait until all her normal plumage and feathers come in!

Yes, I too was surprised at how much adult chickens love starter feed! But once they get their fill of it, they can turn their beaks up at it. And of course after molting ends and egg laying has again commenced, you might stop using the starter. But starter helps with molting, me and my flock are hooked on it!

 

[HuffleClaw]

Yes, I too was surprised at how much adult chickens love starter feed! But once they get their fill of it, they can turn their beaks up at it. And of course after molting ends and egg laying has again commenced, you might stop using the starter. But starter helps with molting, me and my flock are hooked on it!

After I see she’s gotten her feathers in for the most part... I’ll cut down to maybe 25% of the feed being starter and then go back to just the normal feed after she’s laid and seems to have all of her regular feathers in

 

[TwoCrows]

After I see she’s gotten her feathers in for the most part... I’ll cut down to maybe 25% of the feed being starter and then go back to just the normal feed after she’s laid and seems to have all of her regular feathers in

I would wait until you see very little feather skins and feathers are pretty much all in, when combs start to redden again. This is how I do it, but you can pull it out when ever you see fit.

 

[HuffleClaw]

I would wait until you see very little feather skins and feathers are pretty much all in, when combs start to redden again. This is how I do it, but you can pull it out when ever you see fit.

That sounds better, I’ll do that instead!

 

[Compost King]

When ever Brooder bedding goes to the compost piles the adult chickens go straight for all that spilt starter feed (always non medicated, medicated is not good for composts). They will spend the entire day scratching for it. I imagine starter feed is just as good or better for fixing feathers.

 

[Folly's place]

Layer feed is meant for medium sized actively laying hens, who are a fraction of my flock. For the roosters, pullets, molting birds, off-season layers, and old ladies, an all-flock feed is way better. Once your young flock develops into this type of group, layer feed no longer is the best choice. If you do an 'all-in, all-out' type of flock management, layer feed will be fine.
Mary

 

[HuffleClaw]

Sorry, I didn’t get pictures. It was raining ALL day yesterday

 

[Folly's place]

That's all right. It was 11F here this morning, and the horses broke their round bale feeder, which has to be fixed today. But it's going to be sunny, sometime.
Mary

 

[HuffleClaw]

I have a feather picker/eater!

I caught Maddie picking and eating Big Heifer’s feathers!

What can I do?

I put some starter feed, oyster shells, greens from foraging, and cat food in a bowl in case that would help:

 

[TwoCrows]

It's common for birds to eat each others feathers during molting time. I HATE when they do this and generally it becomes a habit you can never break once they start. Chickens THINK they are consuming high protein in these discarded feathers when in fact their bodies are unable to draw out little if any protein from them. All you can do is feed a higher protein food and pick up molted feathers as often as possible. Feather eating can clog up crops and gizzards, so do your best to keep the area clean of fallen feathers.