Molting Hens Not Eating Feed.

[1000Clucks]

Hello,
My two hens are both molting--this is their first molt. A few days ago, I discovered that rain had leaked into their coop, and into their feed, and some of it was moldy. I removed all the feed and brought in new feed in a new feeder, but they don't seem to be eating much of it. They are eating the cabbage I hung in there, and they get excited about eating scratch when I bring them some, but they don't seem interested in the feed. Could they have been turned off pellet feed entirely, after experiencing the moldy pellets? Maybe I should switch them to mash for a while? They aren't laying at all, they stopped a couple weeks ago, when the molting began. So I decided to switch them to all-flock feed, which has a bit more protein, thinking maybe that will help with feather growth. They seem to feel fine, are social, active and talkative. It just seems to me that molting hens would eat more, not less? But I'm a beginner, so maybe that assumption is wrong. My barred rock has always had a monster appetite, so it's particularly concerning to see her not eating. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
go ahead and put them on Nutrena Feather Fixer .it's a special food especially from molting chickens over 16 weeks old. they will grow in exceptionally beautiful feathers and they may even lay through the molt. Best ,
Karen

 

[1000Clucks]

Hi,
go ahead and put them on Nutrena Feather Fixer .it's a special food especially from molting chickens over 16 weeks old. they will grow in exceptionally beautiful feathers and they may even lay through the molt. Best ,
Karen

Hi Karen, Thanks for your reply. I've got the Feather Fixer on order from my local store. Hopefully they will find it more enticing than the all-flock. They just seem to have an unusually low appetite, that is my concern right now. But maybe being finicky is normal molting behavior? I don't have enough experience to know. Anyway, thanks again.

 

[crazychick26201]

Hello, 1000 clucks,
I have kept a small flock of five hens and this is their 4th molting season. I have the problem of them not eating every molt. I have wasted a lot of money on Nutrena Feather Fixer and other supplements, which they try out, but quit eating after a few days. I wonder how your birds did on the Feather Fixer. Also I am asking anyone out there what else I can do to keep them eating. Would fermented feed help? That is one thing I have not tried.
Thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hello, 1000 clucks,
I have kept a small flock of five hens and this is their 4th molting season. I have the problem of them not eating every molt. I have wasted a lot of money on Nutrena Feather Fixer and other supplements, which they try out, but quit eating after a few days. I wonder how your birds did on the Feather Fixer. Also I am asking anyone out there what else I can do to keep them eating. Would fermented feed help? That is one thing I have not tried.
Thanks!

Hi @crazychick26201 I've found molting hens to be picky eaters. I usually provide their normal dry food along with a fresh made daily mash (wet feed). Once a week I add some poultry vitamins to their daily mash. They don't get any treats or scratch until at least mid day, this encourages them eat their food. A hen will finally eat some feed if there are no other goodies available. Once or twice a week, their "treat" includes hard boiled eggs for a boost and they usually get some fresh greens, veggies or a little fruit daily. I also feed Flock Raiser (20%protein) year round, so I don't worry too much about diluting protein content with treats (everything in moderation). They don't always get scratch everyday, but if they do, it's just a small amount usually sunflower hearts with a little oatmeal (about 1tsp per hen). Mine will take scratch grains if that's what I have, but they prefer the sunflower hearts.

As for fermenting feed - I can't really advise on that. I've tried the fermenting, but I've found my girls love fresh made wet feed - you can add a little Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar if you wish. Only put out what you think they will eat in a few hours.

 

[chickens really]

I feed Grower crumbles to my Flock all the time and supply oyster shell separately ...Drastic temp changes, molt, any stress brings out the diseases Birds carry...Chickens are carriers of many disease and only show symptoms once stressed....

 

[rebrascora]

I've had the same problem with their feed consumption dropping drastically during moult. I've not noticed it nearly so bad previous years, but the last few weeks my lot have had me worried. I went out and bought grower instead of layer but they seemed even less impressed and usually they like the grower. I have resorted to giving them more scratch than I like to give them, just because they will eat it but even then, with less gusto than usual. They are still eating their greens and enjoyed some cherry tomatoes this afternoon and any meat scraps I have are fought over and ravenously devoured, so I would suggest treating them to a tin of cat food once a week and some boiled/scrambled eggs and any other meat scraps you might have. Just don't let them blackmail you into continuing with these treats throughout the year. I have gone back to layer pellets last week and they have definitely started eating more, but they are also past the worst of their moult, so they may just be feeling a bit better in themselves and wanting to eat again.

 

[crazychick26201]

Just read this thread again. My hens are now in their 2018 molting season and not eating again. Does anyone know if it is ok to mix flock raiser crumble with layer crumble or should I feed flock raiser as their sole feed for a while? They won’t touch Nutrena Feather Fixer, so I am going with Purina Flock Raiser.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Just read this thread again. My hens are now in their 2018 molting season and not eating again. Does anyone know if it is ok to mix flock raiser crumble with layer crumble or should I feed flock raiser as their sole feed for a while? They won’t touch Nutrena Feather Fixer, so I am going with Purina Flock Raiser.

It's fine to mix the crumbles together, that way you don't waste the feed you already have or it doesn't get old.
I use Flock Raiser year round, but do offer treats like egg or kale to my birds too. Molters really seem to like greens and will eat a little egg too when they seem to be off their normal feed - just don't give too much.