MJ's little flock

[Shadrach]

All seems well.

I'm no expert, but I think they're tootling along just fine, except for Janet. What do you do when a hen is poorly during her moult? Any tips?

No tips I'm sorry to write but here it's normal. For about a week the heavy moulters don't socialize, don't eat the commercial feed and look ghastly. The main worry for me is they leave the tribe to forage for whatever it is they think they need. The last time Fudge had a heavy moult she was a long way away from her tribe and wandering around on her own looking for stuff in the sheep field. There used to be an English women who posted on BYC who was very knowledgeable and observant regarding her chickens and she and I had a long discussion about the possible diet inadequacies for moulting hens.

 

[Shadrach]

Notch, dismantling the stone wall.

Two of his hens, Donk and Myth (no longer broody thankfully) looking a bit concerned about the rock fall.

 

[Ribh]

All seems well.

I'm no expert, but I think they're tootling along just fine, except for Janet. What do you do when a hen is poorly during her moult? Any tips?

A little extra protein 'cause they're growing feathers & anything that tempts their appetite. Perhaps a little electrolyte stuff in their water. Some, not all, of mine get really shirty & poorly during their molt.

 

[MaryJanet]

When I let them out this morning she had a big grey blob in the corner of her right eye. I panicked and made a vet appointment for this afternoon. Since then she cleared her eye somehow. But I'll take her to her appointment nonetheless because maybe she should have a proper checkup just in case. In the meantime, I've tricked her into the little coop and given her a bowl of egg and salmon. I'll leave her in there until it's time to go.

 

[MaryJanet]

No tips I'm sorry to write but here it's normal. For about a week the heavy moulters don't socialize, don't eat the commercial feed and look ghastly. The main worry for me is they leave the tribe to forage for whatever it is they think they need. The last time Fudge had a heavy moult she was a long way away from her tribe and wandering around on her own looking for stuff in the sheep field. There used to be an English women who posted on BYC who was very knowledgeable and observant regarding her chickens and she and I had a long discussion about the possible diet inadequacies for moulting hens.

Fudge! That's the last thing she should do, surely. Out on her own while not feeling her best.

 

[BY Bob]

All seems well.

I'm no expert, but I think they're tootling along just fine, except for Janet. What do you do when a hen is poorly during her moult? Any tips?

I provide extra protein. I even buy high protein feed. I feed lots of meat to them from hamburger to pork. Mine like shrimp as well. I try to find meat treats that they normally don't get. Fish, etc. So they are excited to eat it.

That's just about all you can do. At least as far as I have figured out.

 

[BY Bob]

I second that. I just asked on Bob’s thread if moulting chooks go off their game, as Charlie has this morning.

They do. I shared there as well.

 

[BY Bob]

Fudge! That's the last thing she should do, surely. Out on her own while not feeling her best.

And unable to fly to get away. Yikes!

 

[MaryJanet]

So Janet's down with infectious coryza again. I wonder if her immunity is lowered due to her moult because the other three show no signs of it.

Anyway, as it's infectious the whole troup are on lincospectin again. If she doesn't pick up in 5 days, I'm to take her back for a follow up.

She was a very good hen, stood still on the scales and didn't make a fuss at all.

 

[Ribh]

So Janet's down with infectious coryza again. I wonder if her immunity is lowered due to her moult because the other three show no signs of it.

Anyway, as it's infectious the whole troup are on lincospectin again. If she doesn't pick up in 5 days, I'm to take her back for a follow up.

She was a very good hen, stood still on the scales and didn't make a fuss at all.

What a good girl! I'm sorry she's under the weather again, MJ.