Layer feed for (temp) non-laying pullet

[maryn7]

One of my pullets was attacked by a hawk on NYE - she survived, but lost a lot of feathers and was very shaken up. She was ok the first day, but on death's door the next day and we had to nurse her back to health.

Part of her recovery seems to have been laying an egg in the early evening during the death's door day. She then laid another one the next morning (in the feeder since I had her inside and she didn't have access to an egg box - she's very funny; pic attached for your amusement).

She hasn't laid since then - for about a week and a half. She's taking, I expect, a well-earned break due to the trauma and feather re-growing. I expect she'll start laying again at some point, so I'm inclined to keep her on the layer feed along with her sister.

And here's why: I originally had three pullets and had them on an all flock with oyster shell on the side. The first pullet to lay apparently didn't take the oyster shell, laid 5 eggs in a row and then promptly died of a reproductive issue. It was horrifying, and we only realized after she died that the shell of the final egg was paper thin. She obviously didn't have enough calcium. I switched the other two to layer feed the moment they started even thinking about laying an egg. I keep oyster shell on the side still just in case, and I see them munch it occasionally so I know they know how to use it.

So you can imagine my reluctance to switch them back off the layer. But I also don't want the traumatized pullet to have any issues with too much calcium. I browsed the thread related to feeding mixed flocks, older birds, and non-laying birds - but didn't see any answers about how long a pullet can have it before there are issues.

tldr: how long is too long for a pullet to be on layer feed if she's taking a break? Maybe she'll start up again tomorrow, maybe not until the spring. How long should I wait?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Should be fine to keep her on layer if that's your preference.

 

[maryn7]

Great, thanks. I'll experiment with the all flock/oyster if we add more chicks in the spring - but feel like a diet change could also be rough as she recovers.

She now appears to be losing a couple feathers each night - under her roost each morning. Including a tail feather this morning. Hope this hasn't prompted some sort of molt. She's only 10 months, and it's certainly not the time for it!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Great, thanks. I'll experiment with the all flock/oyster if we add more chicks in the spring - but feel like a diet change could also be rough as she recovers.

She now appears to be losing a couple feathers each night - under her roost each morning. Including a tail feather this morning. Hope this hasn't prompted some sort of molt. She's only 10 months, and it's certainly not the time for it!

There's a good chance the trauma did trigger a molt. Happened when one of my layers was smacked by a bear. It undoubtedly broke a few bones in her. I treated the breaks best I could without an Xray and she healed. That happened in early Aug and she just started laying yesterday!

Hard to say if the layer that died did so because of lack of calcium, or if she genetically had reproductive issues. If they have genetic issues, they usually die around the time they start laying. I hate that you experienced that! I would be experiencing the same doubt as you!

 

[maryn7]

Sigh. Welp. Maybe I'll pick up some higher protein food to mix in just to make sure she's got what she needs. She's already trying to put feathers back in on both sides where the hawk got her. She's such a good little egg.

And yeah, it could have been something that was going to happen anyway. But it was my very first chicken and very shocking (she was fine one day and died the next). I'd felt super confident with my expert feeding plan based on all the reading I'd done, and she immediately died. So retreated to the basic feeding plan.

Thanks for the advice, to you both!

 

[maryn7]

That happened in early Aug and she just started laying yesterday!

And congrats on getting to back to health and lay!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sigh. Welp. Maybe I'll pick up some higher protein food to mix in just to make sure she's got what she needs. She's already trying to put feathers back in on both sides where the hawk got her. She's such a good little egg.

I normally offer two different feeds anyhow, so nothing wrong with doing mix & match to customize a bit. A small bag of non medicated chick starter would be a good short term way to up protein to help with recovery and feather growth.

 

[maryn7]

That sounds super smart. I also picked up some sunflower seeds today, as I saw that recommended for molters (they already get mealworms once or twice a week as a snack).

The one losing feathers *gobbled* them up. The other bird - usually aggro about making sure she's the first at any new food - was like, 'yeah these are all right or whatever,' while her sister hungry, hungry hippoed them. So clearly looking for some more protein.

Thanks again!

 

[rosemarythyme]

That sounds super smart. I also picked up some sunflower seeds today, as I saw that recommended for molters (they already get mealworms once or twice a week as a snack).

Sunflower seeds are tasty, but are high in fat, so treat them in moderation.

 

[maryn7]

So, the sunflower seeds were a big hit, as you predicted. I think we might have overdone it. Nothing wild- they definitely eat almost entirely chicken feed - but she's been getting small amounts of sunflower seeds OR mealworms each day for the protein and for some sort of activity as they've been more cooped up (see below). And I've given her access to a chick starter in addition to the layer food they always have around.

They usually get plenty of exercise, but we've two big snows here over the last week, so they've been cooped up a couple days during actual storms. And then given the option to be in the run other days, which they've mostly declined. I took them on a field trip to the garage today and we (I can't believe we did this) put some old carpet squares out in the run because they don't like snowy claws. So they've been out and about a bit today.

Her poop today was pretty green today, though well formed and everything (see below). Kind of a leafy springtime green. The grass is currently under 2 feet of snow, so it's not grass/veg. The reading I've done says that green poop can indicate liver/fatty liver problems. I can't have given this chicken an obesity problem affecting her liver in under two weeks.... right?

It's just such a mess. It's their proper first snow, so they're freaked out, she's cold because she's molting, can't leave the coop much, can't dirt bathe (which she loves). I was trying to pump her full of protein to help her get these feathers back, but now worried her liver is going to give out or something.

I feel like I've been flinging myself in different directions to keep this chicken alive for a month. She seems totally happy and healthy - but the poop is *noticeably* green.