I’m an Idiot - Flock Feeling Thin and Combs Fading?

[micstrachan]

I am feeling my girls over more often, to make sure I don’t miss any illness. I thought they might be feeling a little thin, and today realized their combs are a little lighter and dry looking. Is this indicative of worms? Thinking I need to bring in a fecal sample for float test. It’s hard to get pictures, but here are three of my girls. How do their combs look to you? Also, not much for them to forage in during free range right now. Not sure why they’re hanging out on the gravel driveway. LOL.

 

[21hens-incharge]

How old are they?

If over a year old they may be getting ready to molt.

The gravel thing makes sense for a couple reasons.
Bugs will go there in the evening since it is warmer. Bugs that froze or are slow moving make an easy lunch.

Be sure to feed them a quality feed during molt and consider upping the protein a bit to help them through.

 

[getaclue]

Are they molting, or just finishing up? From the pictures it's a bit difficult to tell. If not, yes it's time for a fecal float test. Don't worry, they will take in some of the gravel, and use it as grit. That's actually a good thing.

 

[micstrachan]

These are 30-week old pullets, except the Black Australorp, who is in her second year and hasn’t molted yet.

 

[getaclue]

Then I'd say yes, to the float test. I would imagine they are going to need worming.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Also wondering what feed you are feeding, how many treats, do you check the mill dates on feed when you buy?

 

[micstrachan]

Ok, thank you. Do their combs look pale to you? I think the Buckeye does, especially. Definitely look kind of dry.
They are on organic layer crumble from Costco. They had been on an organic layer crumble from the local feed store, but it seemed it gave them poopy bums. No to checking the mill date, but I will going forward. Last year I did throw out a batch that I thought smelled rancid, even though I hadn’t had it long. I think it was too hot where I stored it. That’s not as much of an issue now.

 

[Jessica Thompson]

Sun they need sun

 

[21hens-incharge]

Even at my local feed store they sometimes get a pallet of feed that is what I would consider old.

You only have a few birds if I recall.
You will always want the freshest feed you can get. Even with my flock of 31 I refuse to buy feed that is more than 30 days old.

Yes they look a bit pale and dry. Do you feed any fresh meats? I know it may sound weird but it helps tho give them some raw hamburger from time to time.

 

[micstrachan]

Interesting you say that about sun! With the shorter days, I’m not getting home until too late for sunshine during freerange time, so they are getting little, except for weekends.
I screened in an area on the south side of their coop so they can go out for sun in the winter. I call it their “sun room.” Is the area behind the blue pot, beneath the second level of the coop (second level has the round window. Third level is storage.) So ironic that I just took this photo this morning to demonstrate how only that spot gets morning sun.
It’s a bit of a pain to go in and open that coop access in the morning and then secure