feeding properly and moults

[catsbully]

a few weeks back I had to leave home to go to germany because a close relative was dying...with strict and often mentioned instructions I left my girls in the care of my husband....bless him but he really doesnt listen! so for the 2 weeks I was gone he didnt give my girls their layer mash!!! so when I returned I was down to 2 eggs per day out of 39 girls! well my yard their coop and pen are covered! in feathers. well of course hes thrown them onto a moult! Now a week and a half later since I've been back and every trick in the book ...apple cider vinegar,lots of fresh water and layer mash I am back up to 14 eggs today!!! Getting better but a long way to go yet. And much bitchin' I might add! please keep in mind these birds NEED to be kept on a strict regime! This doesnt need to happen unless its their time to moult! I do hope a lesson has been learned but honestly I doubt it ... next time my daughter-in-law will be the one to look after the birds!!!

 

[NanaArizona]

GOOD INFO!!! I had NO idea that cutting their food gets them to moult!!!! Forgive me, but what does apple cider vinegar do & how much do you give them??? THANK YOU

 

[azygous]

It's well known in the chicken show circuit that withholding food forces molt. They do it several months before a show so the feathers will be pristine. I will refrain from offering my opinion on that practice.

If you are looking for something to get your girls back into a good nutritional state, you might try this product. http://www.forco.com/ It helps promote optimum nutrient absorption. It's marketed for horses, but perfectly safe for poultry.

I've been feeding it to my flock for a few months now to combat a feather picking issue with dramatic results. It's also helped jolt a hen out of a prolonged molt (over a year of being bald) and started re-growing feathers after about nine weeks on the supplement.

It could be that your flock was getting ready to go into molt anyway. My flock has decreased egg production by half and feathers are beginning to drop. It's that time of year for it to begin.