I didn't really know what to call this thread as its several questions in one really...
My girls are looking decidedly scruffy, i'm guessing they're going into moult as as its starting round the head and neck, but they do have a cockerel in with them so its his attentions too..
my question is for this... they girls loosing head feathers have no pin feathers coming in,so look very bald. If this is due to the cockerel will they come in when they're supposed to (ie when the bird is properly in moult). they're heads aren't red or sore in any way (although possibly a little dry looking) - its not all the hens, only the 3/4 he has a "soft spot" for.
The second question is... The cockerels chest is very scruffy - Broken feathers and down popping through as the guard feathers are broken - again i assume this is from repeated treading of the girls - the rest of him is perfect, Would this be everyone elses' opinion too?
and lastly........
as they're going into moult i'm trying to find food rich in protein for them. They've had yogurt today, but i'm not sure this will be good for them on a daily basis. they do get live mealworms but they cost me a fortune ( as i also have 70 odd Geckos to feed too.....)
so what other high protein foods do you recommend? i have a couple of chicks at the moment so could introduce some chick crumb to their layers pellets (i have also cut down their corn, though they're not happy about it!)
sorry for the long post!!
Jenn
My girls are looking decidedly scruffy, i'm guessing they're going into moult as as its starting round the head and neck, but they do have a cockerel in with them so its his attentions too..
my question is for this... they girls loosing head feathers have no pin feathers coming in,so look very bald. If this is due to the cockerel will they come in when they're supposed to (ie when the bird is properly in moult). they're heads aren't red or sore in any way (although possibly a little dry looking) - its not all the hens, only the 3/4 he has a "soft spot" for.
The second question is... The cockerels chest is very scruffy - Broken feathers and down popping through as the guard feathers are broken - again i assume this is from repeated treading of the girls - the rest of him is perfect, Would this be everyone elses' opinion too?
and lastly........
as they're going into moult i'm trying to find food rich in protein for them. They've had yogurt today, but i'm not sure this will be good for them on a daily basis. they do get live mealworms but they cost me a fortune ( as i also have 70 odd Geckos to feed too.....)
so what other high protein foods do you recommend? i have a couple of chicks at the moment so could introduce some chick crumb to their layers pellets (i have also cut down their corn, though they're not happy about it!)
sorry for the long post!!
Jenn
