Molting Birds - Feather Fixer or Flock Raiser Feed?

[dixieandthechicks]

Hey everybody! Our 10 month old hens are molting and have slowed down laying. I want to get them supplemental feed, but don't know whether to get them Feather Fixer or Flock Raiser. Has anyone had good (or bad) experiences with either? TIA

Chicken picture for interest

 

[GC-Raptor]

Our 10 month old hens are molting and have slowed down laying. I want to get them supplemental feed, but don't know whether to get them Feather Fixer or Flock Raiser. Has anyone had good (or bad) experiences with either?

I've fed both, though I haven't fed Feather Fixer in years.
Feather Fixer contains less calcium than most Layers feed, but enough to satisfy the reduced laying from your Pullets.
Flock Raiser contains far less calcium and you will need to provide Oyster Shells separately if you don't already.
My Hens recover from molting quickly with a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower 18%.
Below is a photo of Curly on December 5.

and December 27 below.

As long as they like Pellets and still laying some eggs I would go with Feather Fixer.

I haven't seen the crumble yet at TSC. GC

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Other sources of protein are a nice boost for molting hens. The solids from making broth, that little ground beef you didn’t use, etc.

 

[dixieandthechicks]

I've fed both, though I haven't fed Feather Fixer in years.
Feather Fixer contains less calcium than most Layers feed, but enough to satisfy the reduced laying from your Pullets.
Flock Raiser contains far less calcium and you will need to provide Oyster Shells separately if you don't already.
My Hens recover from molting quickly with a Non-Medicated Starter-Grower 18%.
Below is a photo of Curly on December 5.View attachment 2531181and December 27 below.View attachment 2531190
As long as they like Pellets and still laying some eggs I would go with Feather Fixer.View attachment 2531203
I haven't seen the crumble yet at TSC. GC

Thanks! 4 of the 6 aren't laying, but 1 Buff and 1 Barred still are.. I bought the Feather Fixer and mixed it in with their layer feed tonight! Fingers crossed it works!!

 

[dixieandthechicks]

Other sources of protein are a nice boost for molting hens. The solids from making broth, that little ground beef you didn’t use, etc.

I also bought them crickets tonight and they LOVED them!! I'll keep adding protein sources to their supplement bowl every day!!

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I also bought them crickets tonight and they LOVED them!! I'll keep adding protein sources to their supplement bowl every day!!

There you go...a good protein source for sure and chickens love 'em.. When we first got chickens, our yard was overrun with crickets. We gave the flock free run of the entire backyard that first year, and I haven't more than a handful of crickets back there total since (even without the hens having the whole yard in YEARS).

 

[Happy hen lover]

I also bought them crickets tonight and they LOVED them!! I'll keep adding protein sources to their supplement bowl every day!!

I bought some floating fish food after watching a YT on it . I feed occasionally and they nibble at it as needed , my Yorkie LOVES it protein is 38%!

 

[GC-Raptor]

I bought the Feather Fixer and mixed it in with their layer feed tonight! Fingers crossed it works!!

It would work best as the only feed through molt. GC

 

[dixieandthechicks]

It would work best as the only feed through molt. GC

Will it shock their system to suddenly change food? I know with dogs you gradually switch over, but maybe birds are more resilient?

 

[GC-Raptor]

Will it shock their system to suddenly change food? I know with dogs you gradually switch over, but maybe birds are more resilient?

No, as long as ingredients are similar, corn and soy based. I temporarily switch to to a All-Flock crumble 20% when the Non-Medicated Starter-Grower 18% is sold out.
If ingredients aren't similar, like one feed is corn and soy free, then mix 50/50 for a week or 10 days. GC