Helping feathers regrow

[kimice]

I rescued a scraggly looking bunch of hens yesterday. They were in terrible conditions. They are all missing ALOT of feathers. The lady there said that they were molting, but I think it has more to do with how many roosters and hens where in cramped conditions. Just wondering if there is anything special I can feed them to get thier feathers regrowing a little faster? If not, about how long does it take for a hens feathers to regrow.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You might find these interesting. One does discuss how fast they get over the molt.

Mississippi State describes molting
http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html

Kansas State feather loss
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/mf2308.pdf

 

[hennyannie]

I found the manna pro products to be somewhat helpful in making some rescued hens start looking better faster.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

High protein treats (we are giving ours leftover scrambled eggs, meat scraps, etc.).

 

[chickendude]

Black oil sunflower seed (BOSS) is great during a molt. It is high in protein.

 

[teach1rusl]

Chickensaresweet and chickendude have good suggestions. I'd not offer them any treats except for high protein ones. I've heard game bird feed has higher protein than layer feed too.
It's probably a combination of the conditions you described AND molting, because it IS about that time again (molting).

 

[Sooner]

I recently rescued a hen that basically had no feathers except on her underside. It was a combo of too many roo's & lack of feed & they kept her running anytime it was day light. I put her in a pen with normal feed, clean water & only added additional table scraps & some cat food every once in a while she now has her feathers back except her tail........it was so bad that I wasn't sure what breed she was.....she is a speckled sussex.

 

[colby318]

Feathers are made of protein. Generic dry kitten food has upwards to 34% protein (paw n claws brand) at Tractor Supply. They go primal over the cats' leftover canned food also. BOSS is very good but try to buy a large bag so it's less expensive!

 

[Cindy in PA]

Quote:
BOSS is 15% protein, not really that high.

 

[chickendude]

Quote:
BOSS is 15% protein, not really that high.

True not that high but added as a supplement to you layer feed and it will help them out allot.