Heavy moult

[Erin80]

Last winter my barred rock hen went through an insanely heavy moult during a cold snap (-30c). She wanted to be alone and wouldn’t sleep near the other hens because she was uncomfortable. If someone else goes through this heavy a moult this year during freezing temperatures, am I able to bring them in and have them live inside in a big dog crate until their moult is done? Or is that a bad idea? I honestly don’t know how she survived that moult last year. Chickens are so tough!

 

[Mrs. K]

I think this will make you feel better. But chickens are hardy, and in my experience, separating chickens causes more problems than it solves.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

If she goes through a hard molt again this year definitely give her some extra protein to help her get through the molt

 

[casportpony]

am I able to bring them in and have them live inside in a big dog crate until their moult is done?

Yes.

 

[casportpony]

I think this will make you feel better. But chickens are hardy, and in my experience, separating chickens causes more problems than it solves.

Yes....because....

I'm gonna have to disagree.

 

[Punkybrewster]

That was my theory when i read about it.
I feed all flock too so i wouldnt be able to try this. But ive never had a bird molt terribly bad so maybe.....?

 

[aart]

I cant personally confirm but rumor says feeding All flock lessens the chance of a very heavy molt. I have not tried this yet.

Has anyone seen a difference or done this?

I have never fed anything but Purina Flock Raiser.....have a few hard molters, but most not.
I don't think it's about a specific feed, but individual birds.

 

[Pghelp]

Sometimes other conditions can bring on a heavy moult too. My RIR looks horrible. She started moulting on our series of 100+ hot days. I've watched her methodically pulling out whole sections of feathers and then her bff comes over to help groom and pull out a few more. She now looks like a pin cushion with the new feathers sprouting. At no time did she seem uncomfortable or distressed, just every day the coop and run were flying with feathers. I think the heat started the moult. The only drawback was during moult she goes on strike and doesn't lay. Hoping this feathers come in soon!

 

[aart]

Or is that a bad idea?

Yes....because....

But chickens are hardy, and in my experience, separating chickens causes more problems than it solves.

 

[Punkybrewster]

I cant personally confirm but rumor says feeding All flock lessens the chance of a very heavy molt. I have not tried this yet.

Has anyone seen a difference or done this?