molting/protein?

[Jen01971]

Oh boy. It has been over two months now and she is still molting. I add a vitamin and electrolyte powder to their water but I will try increasing the protein. Thanks.

 

[penannophia]

I just bought a bag of "Feather Fixer" by Nutrena. It is chicken feed formulated specifically for moult. My hens like it.

 

[gypsychicken]

I've been feeding them cooked beans. Are beans going to be ok?

 

[hjay1012]

I don't feed commercial? I feed them one of the best on the market.

http://www.greenmountainfeeds.com/

http://www.greenmountainfeeds.com/products/poultry/organic-layer-pellets/

I was feeding them the Non-GMO's during the summer, which does have less protein, but the tofu made up the difference in the proteins. Now because of winter I put them back on the layer pellets, which is still organic but not necessarily GMO free.

for what it's worth the USDA prohibits GMO's in organic food, but the GMO free food is not necessarily organic...
I also try to keep my Ladies mostly organic and when they have molted I give them the Stoneyfield Greek Organic yogurt, it gives them protein AND extra calcium and probiotics. They love it and seem happy, healthy and get through the molt quickly. (all though they've only gone through twice).
Hope you find something, good luck to you...

 

[Jen01971]

Thanks. I will pick up some Greek yogurt tomorrow.

 

[MamaChik]

Been through 4 chickens all bad molt 2 times, Greek yogurt is the answer. I swear by it...

 

[Dboohiking]

My girls were looking shabby too, so I am giving the Feather Fixer a try. I am pleased that it was offered at the same price as their original feed. I also supplement with BOSS, yogurt and occasionally hard boiled eggs.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

BOSS, Scambled egg for those hanging back on the roost (feeling rough), some left over chili with venison burger in it that nobody was eating, I also had a few freezer burnt venison hearts I trimmed up and cut up in bits and cooked--they LOVED that. My meal worm supply that had reached a good size in the grub stage. I see the attraction of using no animal by-products in our chicken feed but in actuality you need animal protein, amino acids for all around long term health in these birds I feel. In nature-free ranging mine our hoovering leopard and tree frogs left and right and other things including worms and bugs and slugs. in the winter my mom would get suet blocks or big hunks of beef fat from our butcher to feed the wild birds, I did that last November and am reminded now I need to pick some up.

I also have been adding 1/4 caplet of B complex to the water for a couple that have been slouchy or weak legged. or even bumping that up with some merck's Blue Ribbon Vitamin probiotic in the water.

Oh, I got the Feather Fixer to give that a go too. I just switched to that for this time frame from an All-Flock.

Everybody is in varying degrees of molt--but in general we are finishing up. Thank goodness as there has been "frost on the pumpkin" for a good week or so.

 

[BLT79]

Been through 4 chickens all bad molt 2 times, Greek yogurt is the answer. I swear by it...

I did not know greek yogurt was good for molting, but I will tell you, my chickens looooveee it! pretty amusing to watch the devoure it too!

 

[BLT79]

My chickens are 5 months and 5 1/2 months. I am in the Northeast where the temps have already been in the 20's. I noticed my rooster went through a slight molt maybe a month ago. I am wondering when are the hens going to go through it? I want to try to get ahead of the game and prepare for it, maybe up the protein prior to it starting in hopes it won't get so bad, especially since it's already cold here! temps have gone from 60's to 30's and back to high 50's. Are there signs I need to watch for? Are they going to skip the autumn molt and just do it in the spring? first year with chickens and I want to be well informed on everything! Thanks all!~