Molting hen help

[calichicken]

Hi! I have a Bantam Cochin hen that is 1 year 3 months adddnd going through her first molt. It is a hard molt and she has lots of bare spots. She has slowed down on losing feathers and has LOTS of new feather growth...especially her breast, belly and legs. I am trying not to handle her much. Any tips to support her and comfort is appreciated!

 

[Top Rooster]

She should be fine, she may need some oyster shell to help with all of the growth of her feathers but that’s about it. I had a hen that went completely featherless with only little very young feathers on her, she grew them all fine and is laying great.

 

[calichicken]

She should be fine, she may need some oyster shell to help with all of the growth of her feathers but that’s about it. I had a hen that went completely featherless with only little very young feathers on her, she grew them all fine and is laying great.

Thank you!!! Just want to make.sure she gets everything she needs! She seems to be taking it well, but is definitely a little tired or more mellow at times...poor girl!

 

[rosemarythyme]

For feathers you want to boost her protein, I don't think calcium does anything for feathers and since she won't be laying while molting I would think that's reason to not increase calcium intake. Otherwise try to handle her as little as possible and that's about it.

 

[calichicken]

For feathers you want to boost her protein, I don't think calcium does anything for feathers and since she won't be laying while molting I would think that's reason to not increase calcium intake. Otherwise try to handle her as little as possible and that's about it.

Thank you!!! Makes sense...no she is not laying right now. So give her egg or meal worms? DEFINATELY not handling her much since she has pin feathers all over!

 

[rosemarythyme]

A little egg, or I've seen people say they offered canned fish or a little cat food. None of my molts were so bad that I felt the need to feed extra protein.

 

[tjo804]

I offer a grower feed when molting kinda like a side dish of egg shell and let them choose.

Raise protein
Make sure she has plenty of water and shade. You don't want a sunburn.

It is not uncommon for heat to prompt an early molt.

 

[Folly's place]

Some birds look sorta bald, loosing most of their feathers at once. Others loose a few at a time, and do look better. Feeding a higher protein diet is good and helps them. Flock Raiser is 20% protein, a good choice.
Mary

 

[tjo804]

OH yes @Folly's place is correct. Look at feathers on the ground. More than just the one could be molting.

I have actually been considering switching to flock raiser. Because we have extra Roos and my human men folk are attached. They look at me like I am the bad queen screaming off with his head.

 

[Folly's place]

I like my roos too, and have at least three in my flock, for my three breeding groups. Right now I'm sorting the younglings, and plan to keep tree cockerels as backup, if possible. Too much drama will alter that plan, but sometimes it works okay, at least until next spring/ summer.
Mary