How long for feather recovery?

[Ridgerunner]

Feeding them like you are feeding them will help the feathers that will grow back grow back nice and thick. It will not make the feathers that are not going to grow back before the molt grow back before the molt.

I don't know what extra protein you are feeding them. I personally do not increase protein for feather growth, mine do fine without that. But if you do, I'd suggest BOSS. BOSS is relatively high in protein but the big advantage is that Black OIL Sunflower Seeds have a lot of OIL in them. It doesn't take much but that oil helps make the feathers nice an shiny.

Frankly, the reason I'm suggesting BOSS is not for the chicken's benefit. It's for yours. As Aart said the chickens don't care, but it will make you feel better because you are doing something to help. The oil will make the feathers shinier, which is probably important to you, again a benefit for you.

As for behavior any time you add or remove a fairly dominant chicken you change flock dynamics. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not. I'm glad it's worked out better in your case.

 

[sloanbychoice]

@Ridgerunner
Thanks! I appreciate it!

I think the reason they’re right back to normal is because they were established together as adults before I introduced him. When I brought him in, it was a heck of an ordeal. But they ended up great together until all this over mating business.
When he started getting way too rough, he had to go. I’ve seen too many people’s hens die recently from roos.
Anyway, I think they just remembered their order since we only had him a few months.
But, it’s only been three days. So we’ll see.

Thanks for the advice!
I just give them grubbies as the protein. Mostly because they love it. Not just for the feathers.
I’ve never given the seeds, but I’ll get some and see if they go for it. They love treats so much, I have to treat them like toddlers sometimes and say no. Lol. Vultures.

 

[aart]

BOSS is relatively high in protein but the big advantage is that Black OIL Sunflower Seeds have a lot of OIL in them. It doesn't take much but that oil helps make the feathers nice an shiny.

@Ridgerunner Do you think this makes for more immediate improvement during preening by boosting their oil gland production?

 

[Ridgerunner]

@aart interesting question. It's quite possible and that makes sense. People that raise chickens for show add oil to their diet for shiny feathers. I never thought how that worked. If it's through the oil gland an preening that would make for quick results.

 

[centrarchid]

Look closely to see if feathers broken versus removed in their entirety.

 

[aart]

@aart interesting question. It's quite possible and that makes sense. People that raise chickens for show add oil to their diet for shiny feathers. I never thought how that worked. If it's through the oil gland an preening that would make for quick results.

Not sure how else it would benefit.
BOSS can be great but that oil is high in fat, which is not always good.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That's why I said it didn't take that much.