How long do chickens molt for and what does it look like?

[guardianoftheflock]

Thanks for your reply! Every reply is helpful!

 

[guardianoftheflock]

Depends if you want to change your protein then have to find higher protein in your organic feed if think want to add extra protein while possibly molting like 20%. May also try just adding organic high protein snacks to help increase new feather production with current feed and see how it goes. I wouldn’t break organic practices. I think you can accommodate both.

Thanks for your reply! I wasn't planning on changing my organic practices...

 

[guardianoftheflock]

It can help if it has more protein also yogurt, scrambled eggs, oatmeal and meal worms best price is amazon on them

Thanks!

 

[3riverschick]

If your birds are starting to molt, put them on Nutrena Feather Fixer feed. It's good for both sexes, any bird over 16 weeks old. It brigs them thru the molt in great fashion. Lovely new feathers!! And the hens sometimes lay right thru the molt. I used it on my Light Sussex flock one year and was astonished at the great results! You can also give them 1 cup of Black Oil Sunflower seeds a day per 10 adult chickens. the oil just makes their feathers so shiny! And of course grit to help them digest the seeds.
Best,
Karen in western PA

 

[guardianoftheflock]

It can help if it has more protein also yogurt, scrambled eggs, oatmeal and meal worms best price is amazon on them

Thanks! Does the protein help them molt faster or something??

 

[guardianoftheflock]

If your birds are starting to molt, put them on Nutrena Feather Fixer feed. It's good for both sexes, any bird over 16 weeks old. It brigs them thru the molt in great fashion. Lovely new feathers!! And the hens sometimes lay right thru the molt. I used it on my Light Sussex flock one year and was astonished at the great results! You can also give them 1 cup of Black Oil Sunflower seeds a day per 10 adult chickens. the oil just makes their feathers so shiny! And of course grit to help them digest the seeds.
Best,
Karen in western PA

Thanks Karen! I think everyone on this site is just so helpful and pleasant...including you! I've appreciated everyone's help! Once again, thank y'all so much!

 

[Melky]

Thanks! Does the protein help them molt faster or something??

It can hasten the molt as well as development of new feather production which is what you want so your chicken has less effects of molting. The feathers are like 80-85% protein and create losses for the hen when molting which is why they stop laying typically or lay less during a molt. The hen will only have enough energy for one not both between molting and laying. This requires protein replacement to avoid depletion of your hen nutritionally and assists with faster turnover of feathers. Hopefully prevents baldness. So you can up your feeds protein and add higher protein snacks to assist them.

 

[pennyJo1960]

It support the system to help them navigate through the molt some like us have a harder time of these body changes

 

[guardianoftheflock]

It can hasten the molt as well as development of new feather production which is what you want so your chicken has less effects of molting. The feathers are like 80-85% protein and create losses for the hen when molting which is why they stop laying typically or lay less during a molt. The hen will only have enough energy for one not both between molting and laying. This requires protein replacement to avoid depletion of your hen nutritionally and assists with faster turnover of feathers. Hopefully prevents baldness. So you can up your feeds protein and add higher protein snacks to assist them.

Thank You!!!

 

[guardianoftheflock]

It support the system to help them navigate through the molt some like us have a harder time of these body changes

Thanks!!!