If they are not laying do they dislike layer pellets?

[chuckzoo]

This is driving me crazy! My one BR is going through a mini-molt (I guess it's called that since she didn't loose all her feathers). She has stopped laying and doesn't want to have much to do the the layer pellets! At first I thought there was something wrong with her as she was eating so little and was hunched over with some of her feather puffed up.

Problem;
8-9 month old BR
Mini-molting
Not laying
Eats very little, sunflower chips, grit, lettuce (Romain and baby greens)
Won't eat layer pellets (even when mixed with warm water or yogurt or buttermilk)
Is skinny
Is acting normal now
How do I get her to eat more?

I have added wet cat food, tinned salmon, peanut butter bird suet, sunflower chips - everything I can think of to get her to eat more.
Any suggestions please?

 

[LynneP]

Wild bird suet is good, and if you moisten the layer pellets she may eat more but her energies should go to feathercoat rather than to eggs at this time.
Wet cat food is often used for molting birds, it's high in protein.

 

[mypicklebird]

If she liked layer pellets before, and everyone else is eating them fine- there is something wrong with this individual. They may be a bit 'off' when they are in a hard molt- but usually they eat MORE or the same, as they need energy to make feathers. If her appetite is poor, and she is hunched and fluffed- pick her up and look her over carefully. Check for lice, check her vent, feel her crop ect- separate her away from the others- what does her poop look like?




Quote:

 

[patandchickens]

I agree, it sounds like there is something wrong (IME it is not normal for them to stop eating much when molting, nor do they have any distaste for layer pellets just cuz they're not laying) -- should probably post this over in Emergencies Diseases Injuries section of the forum and see if people can help you figure it out.

Best of luck,

Pat

 

[Jim from Cincinnati]

Is it possible she is going broodie?

 

[chuckzoo]

Thanks for the responses.

Poop looks normal, but small

I have checked her over thoroghly and can find nothing amiss.

Could she be going broody at 8-9 mths? I only have two hens.

I did post on the disease/emergencies and that's where I heard about the cat food being very high in protein.

She is eating wet cat food mixed with a mash of layer pellets and warm water, but still not in large quanities. I will offer this a few times a day.