Hens Molting

[Hillbilly Rooster]

What is the best way to take care of molting hens and how long does it last? My egg production has gone down bad.

The other question is that how often do they molt?

 

[sundance]

are you sure they moulting? I have a problem with rats, because they pull the feathers out to line their beds. saw a recipe for rat killing with plaster of paris, going to try since i'm afraid to try poison with all the dog, cats, guianas and chickens. marrie

 

[silky ma]

My silkies started molting as soon as the heat came on.
Each hen usually molts for a week less if i help by preening them.
Up their intake of protein.

I have found that it helps if I set up various misters between my fruit trees at about 3 feet off the ground and turn them on when it hits 87-90 degrees. Sooner if a couple of my girls come let me know they want them on.
Just so you know regular garden hoses have alot of toxic metals and chemicals that leach out everytime you use them--regardless of how new or old they are ,so use the RV camper hoses - from home depot or lowes. Better safe than sorry especially if you like to drink from a hose while working in your yard.

 

[Hillbilly Rooster]

Thank you for the advice I know that there is no problem with rats I raised my hen house on a trailer and working on the second one out of a 14ft by 10ft camper just a little remodeling needed.

My hens killed 4 rats when the coop was on the ground they tried to get inside the coop.

thank you again.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Check these two links for detailed information.


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

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