Is this molting?

[KatefromOz]

Thanks heaps for the thorough explanation. It's always good to get some expert advice on these things. I'm looking forward to seeing those pretty new feathers!

Yep, she's molting. Those semi-squishy, delicate fluid-filled spikes protruding from her skin are the new feathers growing in to replace what's been lost. They're often called "Blood Feathers."

When they're done forming as they push out, their outer protective layer will eventually dry out and become kind of flaky and start to fall off, while the newly finished parts of her feathers are released from the spikes to unfurl. Just be careful handling her during this process, as they are fragile and sensitive to pressure against them. My only advice on this whole event is to make sure she's getting adequate protein and calcium during this time, as feather growth relies largely on proteins to fuel the process. If she's free ranging and has access to invertebrates, there shouldn't be much of an issue there.

She'll look a lot less ragged once her new feathers have come in. The hen in my avatar photo just finished her molt and new feather regrowth cycle. She went from looking moth-eaten, ratty and being an awkwardly-textured, semi-fluffy pincushion to being beautiful, more vividly colored and back to her normal fluffy self. All my roosters and other hens are also getting new feathers currently. Best of luck in your chickening journey!

 

[KatefromOz]

I was just talking to my husband about how much Gina has changed recently...went back through some old photos and did a comparison. The top photo was taken today and the bottom photo was the end of Jan. Quite a change in 6 weeks with the new feathers coming through! Interesting!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I was just talking to my husband about how much Gina has changed recently...went back through some old photos and did a comparison. The top photo was taken today and the bottom photo was the end of Jan. Quite a change in 6 weeks with the new feathers coming through! Interesting!

Wow!

That does NOT look like the same bird.

So cool to see the changes.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My only advice on this whole event is to make sure she's getting adequate protein and calcium during this time, as feather growth relies largely on proteins to fuel the process.

Pretty good advice, and a fantastic description.

I've NEVER yet seen a pullet or hen that wasn't laying and not getting enough or even too much calcium. In other words I've never seen lack of calcium be an issue in molting hens. And the amount in layer (4%) really is too high for birds NOT in lay and if fed long term *can* (doesn't mean will) cause kidney issues including gout and failure. In *most cases, decreasing calcium would actually benefit the hen during molt.

And just for information, in case you didn't already know... since you seem to like the detail... It isn't just the proteins, but actually the amino acids that are important. Of course the more protein the more amino acids... but not all proteins are created equally. For example vegetable protein is not adequate and the animal protein and its' amino acids are key. The vegetarian formulas that most of us feed our chooks actually have the amino acids added in.

I suspect the molt for this younger girl is in LARGE part due to her broody stents... Since MANY of my broody gals experience it... shortly after if not during brooding, regardless of time of year.

 

[Slike]

Yes, it is not just the proteins, but the aminos that come with. I was attempting not to be too information overload at once, since I know I can be guilty of this. But you are entirely right, and its good to point out. Not all <insert nearly any nutrient> is created the same, and its something to be aware of.

And just for information, in case you didn't already know... since you seem to like the detail... It isn't just the proteins, but actually the amino acids that are important. Of course the more protein the more amino acids... but not all proteins are created equally. For example vegetable protein is not adequate and the animal protein and its' amino acids are key. The vegetarian formulas that most of us feed our chooks actually have the amino acids added in.

Yes, I entirely agree on this point. I make sure my own birds are getting plenty of animal protein *in addition* to highly nutritious vegetable matter for this very reason. Chickens are not vegetarians - anyone who's ever seen their birds draw-and-quarter a mouse and gulp it down can attest - so I'd never dream of feeding them a solely vegetarian diet.

In my particular case, because we have the awful mongoose around (thanks for not thinking that one through, humans!) and they will kill or injure chickens as well as steal eggs, I've taken to trapping them and feeding them to my birds proactively rather than allowing it the other way around. =) So even on days they're not getting meat scraps from my table, they're getting plenty of dead mongoose and Black Soldier Fly Larva, plus all those nasty semi-slugs, lol.

And I haven't yet looked into the subject of the particular range of amino acids we're discussing as to whether the synthetic (added) forms have inferior bio-availability rates or cause any weird secondary effects. I am always suspicious of synthetics. Many forms of synthesized Magnesium, for example, are practically useless in the human supplements, as the most popular ones have between a 6% to <1% actual bio-availability at their best.

 

[Slike]

I was just talking to my husband about how much Gina has changed recently...went back through some old photos and did a comparison. The top photo was taken today and the bottom photo was the end of Jan. Quite a change in 6 weeks with the new feathers coming through! Interesting!

Wow, what a transition! I love that white lacing in her neck feathers, and the 2-tone going on within her colored feathers elsewhere on her body. She's a mighty pretty little lady!

 

[KatefromOz]

Pretty good advice, and a fantastic description.

I've NEVER yet seen a pullet or hen that wasn't laying and not getting enough or even too much calcium. In other words I've never seen lack of calcium be an issue in molting hens. And the amount in layer (4%) really is too high for birds NOT in lay and if fed long term *can* (doesn't mean will) cause kidney issues including gout and failure. In *most cases, decreasing calcium would actually benefit the hen during molt.

And just for information, in case you didn't already know... since you seem to like the detail... It isn't just the proteins, but actually the amino acids that are important. Of course the more protein the more amino acids... but not all proteins are created equally. For example vegetable protein is not adequate and the animal protein and its' amino acids are key. The vegetarian formulas that most of us feed our chooks actually have the amino acids added in.

I suspect the molt for this younger girl is in LARGE part due to her broody stents... Since MANY of my broody gals experience it... shortly after if not during brooding, regardless of time of year.

She really has had a massive transformation! I had no idea a chicken could change so quickly.
Thanks again for your advice (you're right - i love detail). I'm hoping that means the tuna I give them as a treat has some good amino acids! I usually go for scrambled egg and tuna...just can't bring myself to feed them chicken! I think the broodiness is a big factor to this molt too.

 

[KatefromOz]

Yes, I entirely agree on this point. I make sure my own birds are getting plenty of animal protein *in addition* to highly nutritious vegetable matter for this very reason. Chickens are not vegetarians - anyone who's ever seen their birds draw-and-quarter a mouse and gulp it down can attest - so I'd never dream of feeding them a solely vegetarian diet.

In my particular case, because we have the awful mongoose around (thanks for not thinking that one through, humans!) and they will kill or injure chickens as well as steal eggs, I've taken to trapping them and feeding them to my birds proactively rather than allowing it the other way around. =) So even on days they're not getting meat scraps from my table, they're getting plenty of dead mongoose and Black Soldier Fly Larva, plus all those nasty semi-slugs, lol.

And I haven't yet looked into the subject of the particular range of amino acids we're discussing as to whether the synthetic (added) forms have inferior bio-availability rates or cause any weird secondary effects. I am always suspicious of synthetics. Many forms of synthesized Magnesium, for example, are practically useless in the human supplements, as the most popular ones have between a 6% to <1% actual bio-availability at their best.

Thanks again for the advice. They do eat some little critters such as worms, flies and moths, and sometimes they get meal worms as a treat...I didn't make the connection that they were sort of like meat to a chicken. They go crazy for tuna too so it must have something they like!
What a good idea turning the predator into a meal for the chickens! where I live foxes are probably the biggest worry...but I'm too scared to try and catch one

 

[Teila]

Thanks again for the advice. They do eat some little critters such as worms, flies and moths, and sometimes they get meal worms as a treat...I didn't make the connection that they were sort of like meat to a chicken. They go crazy for tuna too so it must have something they like!
What a good idea turning the predator into a meal for the chickens! where I live foxes are probably the biggest worry...but I'm too scared to try and catch one

Have you tried them on 'sardines in oil'? My gals love them as a treat and I always keep a can in the cupboard in case of impacted crop issues as the oil helps heaps.

 

[KatefromOz]

Have you tried them on 'sardines in oil'? My gals love them as a treat and I always keep a can in the cupboard in case of impacted crop issues as the oil helps heaps.

No, I haven't. Great idea! I imagine they would go down a treat.