Is this what molting like?

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SuzetteWV said:
Omg.. that poor girl. Mine is looking almost as bad. Why are some worse than others?
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Some birds just seem programmed to blow out a lot of feathers. Custard has always had pretty dramatic and late molts (December) but because of that, she also lays until December. She's on track for the same again this year, as she's the only older bird still laying (everyone else her age and older have stopped weeks ago).
 
U_Stormcrow said:
Agree, looks like a hard molt. Keep treating your fungal infection, since your bird will be more susceptible to skin conditions while all those pin feathers are coming in, and you should do a routine mite check, beacuase it should be part of your routine. But looks like a hard molt to me - and the bird knows its not in top shape, which is why its keeping its distance from potential predators and flock mates who might pick on it as the weakest link. Takes a lot of energy, bird will likely be not lethargic, but less active than the norm.

Increased protein can help speed/ease the process, but be aware that BOSS is also very high fat. Don't go to excess. Though considerably more expensive, mealworms are preferable to BOSS in this case - similar protein, better trace minerals, roughly half to 3/5th the fat content. Or simply feed a 20% protein ration - or add some high protein complete ration (like a game bird grower) to your existing feed ration, and mix to the disered final protein figure (this is what I do). You have options, and plenty of support here on BYC to help you thru this.

The bird? Mostly its on its own, but you can ease the stress of it some.
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Thanks for your thorough response! We will definitely get mealworms for her. The other five have not started molting yet and its already in the 40s at night. Should I be concerned that those hens have not started their molt yet?
 
Kaesi2020 said:
Thanks for your thorough response! We will definitely get mealworms for her. The other five have not started molting yet and its already in the 40s at night. Should I be concerned that those hens have not started their molt yet?
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No worries. One of my hens had a massive molt in the middle of winter with temps below freezing. We can't make them molt, they just do it when their bodies feel the need to.
 
Kaesi2020 said:
Thanks for your thorough response! We will definitely get mealworms for her. The other five have not started molting yet and its already in the 40s at night. Should I be concerned that those hens have not started their molt yet?
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Nope. Hopefully, they slow molt over winter so they don't have big bare spots when they molt. instead you will see individual feathers out of place and extra feathers in the house and run.
 
rosemarythyme said:
Definitely looks like a molting bird and if you try to handle her she'll probably protest or run away, so try to keep any handling to a minimum.

She looks a little like my EE Custard, who is a hot mess when she molts:
View attachment 2843362
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I sure hope you entered that one in the molt contest. Looks like a winner, poor girl:eek:
 
Crazy Maizie said:
It sounds and looks like a molt. They will keep to themselves as it is also a bit painful due to the pin feathers coming in. If you check closely you should see pin feathers. Feeding some extra protein as well as BOSS is said to help with the molt.
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I also have read that extra protein can be good for molting birds like meal worms. Is too much protein an issue or should I feed meal worms daily? Sorry but what is BOSS?
 

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