Loosing feathers...protein deficiency?

[kittenchick]

Some of my hens have lost feathers on their chest and head. Penny is the wors - She is about 2 yr old. When I looked closer, I can see she has lost feathers on her chest, back and under her wings and is is quite red. They do not have mites. I have seen people with smilar problems and they have said that it could be a protein deficiency and could be plucking their own feathers out???
So they said to give them cat food. Then I read somewhere else that cat food is bad for them. I am so confused! Egg production hasn't stopped and they have a coop at night (with perches) and run around in dirt all day. (free-ranging) It has been very dry lately so no worms are available....?

Am I going totally up the wrong street?

Many thanks in advance,

Kim

 

[Mrs.Puff]

They're probably just molting. I give mine some cat chow and they're okay.

 

[Imp]

kittenchick,

Could be plucking or normal molting.
Here's a link to feather loss. Hope it helps. Extra protein helps. IMO catfood is OK as a supplement. My chickens get the cats leftovers every day. Good luck.


http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/lvstk2/mf2308.pdf

Imp

 

[kittenchick]

Thanks. i have given them Whiskers (UK) cat food super meat. Haven't noticed a difference and the PDF thing, is also confusing. It could be anything basically. Mites (maybe I haven't spotted) but others are ok or cannibalism...haven't noticed them pecking each other oh i dont know...

Thanks anyhow.

Kim

 

[kittenchick]

Just and update... I have noticed one of my white starts loosing feathers too. Have been giving them catfood for 3 days and havent noticed any difference. Have taken some pics too...

This is my white stars chest...

And Pennys pics.

 

[chickabator]

looks to me like they are starting a molt the second pic you can see new feathers coming in. Mine molted so bad they looked like they had the mange but are finally getting their feathers back.

 

[juliabb95623]

I'm having the same problems with mine. Yesterday I started adding black oil sunflower seeds to their diet. Also, hard boiled eggs, shells and all. I just chopped them fine.

I have been noticing that when I go out to feed, water, or check for eggs that there would be some squawking, then one running from another. At first I thought they were molting and in a pissy mood. After this morning I don't see them doing that to each other. Maybe it is a protien deficency.

About 3 months ago I stopped giving them treats after one died from fatty liver disease. That was about the time I saw the feather loss start. I was giving them dried meal worms or sunflower seeds.

Does anyone know how long after adjusting their diet that you will see their feathers come back?