Is there any way to shorten molt time?

[Chickn chick 46]

My older hens, 4-5 years old, will start to molt end of Sept into Oct with no egg production till March. Other than adding a light to the coop mid to late winter (because I do beleive in giving them a rest period from egg laying) is there any dietary way of kicking the egg production into gear earlier?

For the record I have been reading the threads about the sunflower seeds etc, will this type of diet help or is it strickly a light issue?


Thanks!

 

[faykokoWV]

over the weekend and old-timer told me to feed them turkey feed? Don't know if it works, but that's what he said.

 

[Hoosiermomma]

I put some black oil sunflower seeds and oats into their feed....seems to work for me.

 

[Chickn chick 46]

Quote:
ok this maybe a stupid question, but would quaker oats from the grocery store work??

I am going to get some black oil sunflower seed

I use a layer feed thats for all kinds of birds, its a layer feed, but not sure if I can get turkey feed.

thx

any other input would be great!

 

[farmin'chick]

Sure Quaker Oats would work -- but they are way more expensive. I feed rolled oats to my little ones for treats, and occasionally to the big ones.

 

[princess araucana]

what about the whole catfood to hens in molt stuff? I think mine is starting her first and I thought I remember hearing that for extra protein??

 

[gritsar]

Feathers like eggs require high protein to create. Think of the high protein foods - eggs, cheese, yogurt, meat, black oil sunflower seeds and cat food.

 

[Chickn chick 46]

So, high protein treats, such as cat food, BOSS, eggs should be given during molt a few times a week?? I was going to mix up my own concoction, minus the eggs.

I just gave them left over scrambled eggs and they loved them.

 

[jafo]

Leftover scrambled eggs, I'm coming to your house!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Yep, I give them one or the other each day; eggs one day, cat food the next, yogurt several times a week.