Molting in February?

[Morrigan]

Most birds come through their molts --even hard ones-- just fine. The upside is that her new feathers will look so beautiful when she is done.

 

[Stuwe]

Most birds come through their molts --even hard ones-- just fine. The upside is that her new feathers will look so beautiful when she is done.

I hope she does. It made me sad to see her sisters be such jerks to her. Is it strange that she is molting so hard? She’s not even a year old yet. When i saw she was being bullied I brought her inside and looked her over. Healthy skin, no mites or lice. I just don’t understand why she is doing this right now

 

[WindingRoad]

Hello - long time stalker, first time poster..

I have 3 girls (first chickens ever). My White Rock started to lose feathers about a week ago. I opened up their run and thought the worst had happened - feathers everywhere! - but i found everyone fine and acting normal. Then i noticed Hope (my white rock) with a bald spot on her neck. I assume this is a molt (she will be 1yr old 3/1/19) but I’m also scared of mites and lice! None of the other ladies are losing feathers... is it unheard of to molt in the cold? Its been in the 20s-30s here (John Day OR). I just want to make sure my baby is ok. I attached a picture i took this morning while she was having breakfast.
Any help would be wonderful!

Does she like mealworms. Mealworms are 52% protein. During molting chickens need protein. Some feed is called feather fixer. You might want to get a small bag. How many chickens do you have? A 40 lb bag of 20% protein might be what you need and can save some for when your other birds molt. Don't be surprised if she doesn't lay during this time. Molting is a big job and they don't feel very good when they do. You might try some warm wet food. I don't feed wet food because my birds won't eat it anyway but others do and it works some times. Maybe some warm oatmeal. Of just warm water over her feed. Mix it up. Good luck.

 

[Stuwe]

Does she like mealworms. Mealworms are 52% protein. During molting chickens need protein. Some feed is called feather fixer. You might want to get a small bag. How many chickens do you have? A 40 lb bag of 20% protein might be what you need and can save some for when your other birds molt. Don't be surprised if she doesn't lay during this time. Molting is a big job and they don't feel very good when they do. You might try some warm wet food. I don't feed wet food because my birds won't eat it anyway but others do and it works some times. Maybe some warm oatmeal. Of just warm water over her feed. Mix it up. Good luck.

I am fairly certain i have the only chickens on the planet that don’t like mealworms! Won’t touch them. Have been giving them scrambled eggs, quinoa, leftover pork roast and even a hot dog - they loved the hot dog, of all things. I am going to try tuna today.

They like warm oatmeal and sometimes i give them what i call “chicken tea”, which is just warm water. I holler, “it’s tea time ladies!” And they come a’runnin

 

[WindingRoad]

I am fairly certain i have the only chickens on the planet that don’t like mealworms! Won’t touch them. Have been giving them scrambled eggs, quinoa, leftover pork roast and even a hot dog - they loved the hot dog, of all things. I am going to try tuna today.

They like warm oatmeal and sometimes i give them what i call “chicken tea”, which is just warm water. I holler, “it’s tea time ladies!” And they come a’runnin

I don't think meat is good for them. There are other good sources of protein. Ya know my SLW wouldn't eat mealworms either. But I think they saw the 2 others eating them and didn't want to be left out. Greed outwieghed their finickiness. Now all of them eat them right our of my hand.
Warm oatmeal is a comfort food to me. It has some protein in it and iron. That might be good as the pale combs suggest anemia. Maybe not severe. I'd suggest some Nutri drench too.

 

[Stuwe]

I don't think meat is good for them. There are other good sources of protein. Ya know my SLW wouldn't eat mealworms either. But I think they saw the 2 others eating them and didn't want to be left out. Greed outwieghed their finickiness. Now all of them eat them right our of my hand.
Warm oatmeal is a comfort food to me. It has some protein in it and iron. That might be good as the pale combs suggest anemia. Maybe not severe. I'd suggest some Nutri drench too.

I read somewhere on here that meat was okay in moderation (i only give them about a quarter a cup) - but I’ll keep that in mind. Dont want to make matters worse.

I just checked on everyone and Hope looks so much better today. And she even ate a little bit of apple! I hung a suet block with sunflower seeds and meals worms in her area but she’s ignoring it. She finished the bird seed i gave her, so thats a good sign.

I feel like i sound insane, but i just love her (and all the ladies) so much. It’s heartbreaking to see her ill.

 

[WindingRoad]

I read somewhere on here that meat was okay in moderation (i only give them about a quarter a cup) - but I’ll keep that in mind. Dont want to make matters worse.

I just checked on everyone and Hope looks so much better today. And she even ate a little bit of apple! I hung a suet block with sunflower seeds and meals worms in her area but she’s ignoring it. She finished the bird seed i gave her, so thats a good sign.

I feel like i sound insane, but i just love her (and all the ladies) so much. It’s heartbreaking to see her ill.

Patience. Molting sucks. She will get through this. Hang on.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

For what it's worth, I wouldn't interpret her reluctance to eat as being miserable. Molting birds often go through a sort of dormant period where they don't eat much, they get kind of gray and are quiet and sleep much of the time. Good to separate her if the others are beating her up, but don't fret too much. She looks completely normal for a molting hen. It will be over soon.

 

[Morrigan]

I don't think meat is good for them.

I read somewhere on here that meat was okay in moderation

Yes, chickens can eat meat in moderation. My chickens have killed and eaten mice, lizards and snakes in the yard. I have also given my chickens plain meat scraps during molts. What you want to avoid is salted/fatty meats like ham and bacon.

 

[Morrigan]

For what it's worth, I wouldn't interpret her reluctance to eat as being miserable. Molting birds often go through a sort of dormant period where they don't eat much, they get kind of gray and are quiet and sleep much of the time. Good to separate her if the others are beating her up, but don't fret too much. She looks completely normal for a molting hen. It will be over soon.

I agree with this.