Is this what Moulting looks like? (pics)

[ReillyJ]

Just wondering as i've only had these hens for about 3 months, they're still laying but started slowing down a month ago and saw feathers poking out here/there but in the past couple days now seeing LOTS of feathers around, but just these downy types

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Looks like molting to me. Give them lots of protein.

 

[ReillyJ]

Thanks!

Wondering if i should switch to "broiler" feed in my brand, it's minimum 19% protein...for now?? I gave them some scrambled eggs and i do give mealworms but i don't think it's enough daily?

Also love your signature (Jesus

 

[donrae]

Oh, it gets better! They go from this....



To this. Pretty pitiful, right?





and yes, it looks like a pillow fight in the coop

 

[ReillyJ]

Oh, it gets better! They go from this....



To this. Pretty pitiful, right?

LOL

Well do you think it'll progress to that? Funny thing is, about 3 weeks ago i noticed a drop (not stop though) in egg production and i just saw a LIGHT BIT of feathers here/there and like some were randomly poking out of them. A couple days ago i noticed a lot more of those downy feathers around...so it'll keep going? I really need to figure out higher protein than their layer food, am giving meal worms and scrambled eggs but idk how much per hen! OY!

 

[donrae]

Not all of mine get hit that hard. I feed a higher protein all-in-one feed and plenty of scraps, so protein isn't as much of an issue.

 

[ReillyJ]

Not all of mine get hit that hard. I feed a higher protein all-in-one feed and plenty of scraps, so protein isn't as much of an issue.

Well that's what i'm wondering if i should do right now, switch to the same brand i'm using except their Broiler Feed, just worried about calcium issues but i do give them oyster shell

 

[texaspolloloco]

Oh, it gets better! They go from this....



To this. Pretty pitiful, right?





and yes, it looks like a pillow fight in the coop

Is this the same bird in these two pictures?

 

[donrae]

Is this the same bird in these two pictures?

It's either the same bird or one of two look-alike hatchmates. I had two I could never really tell apart, they're brown Leghorn/EE crosses. But yes, that's the change a good hard molt makes! The better looking picture was actually taken the spring after that hard molt, but it's how she looked before. I feel so sorry for them when they're hit that hard, they just look miserable. They must get cranky, too, because the other birds sure try to avoid them