Molting question...

[GumBranchChick]

Hello! I have an americauna & a barred rock hen. The barred rock has been losing/picking feathers on her crop & belly. And for months we have been having issues getting our eggs hard enough. Having to give her tums right now just to get eggs hard enough to not break in the nest box. The americauna is the one I’m more concerned about. And I’m hoping someone here can tell me if this is normal or not. She acts totally normal most of the time. Then random times over the last week or two, she’ll get super pale in her comb. It’ll last sometimes only a minute or so & then she’ll be bright red again. She has been laying normally. A few more brown spots on her eggs lately than there used to be. Yesterday & today I’ve also noticed her grooming a lot more than I usually do. Both have good appetites & seem otherwise healthy. Went to vet this morning before getting into the weekend & he found no issues, no mites, heart sounded normal. Both weighed 7 lbs! Did a fecal & found only 1 egg when he looked closely so we are de worming but I don’t expect that to be the issue. They are right around 18-19 months old. Is this coming & going of the pale comb a pre cursor to molting potentially? Would any of the other stuff be related to molt also? I’ve never dealt with molt so idk what is normal or not. Thanks!!!

 

[RWise]

I cant answer all, but they are of age to molt. The comb does lighten. Do you feed oyster shell/egg shell/both? Layer feed? Free range?
I would feed them high protein while they molt, and oyster/egg shell on the side.

 

[GumBranchChick]

Thanks so much for the response!!
It’s getting really pale & then bright red, constantly a back & forth thing. Hopefully it’s just molting.
They’re on layer crumble with some oyster mixed in & a whole tray of oyster shell on the side as well. They won’t eat crushed up egg shells for anything. Without the tums, she just can’t lay a solid egg anymore. Idk why. Her sister lays super thick eggs (without the tums). I have been doing extra protein bc I was worried they were picking & eating the feathers since all I can find is 15% layer crumble. They free range a few hours in the morning before I let the rooster out (he’s too breed-happy to share the yard with them!). I put them in their little pen while he’s out. It’s about 10x16’.

 

[RWise]

I use Purina startina game bird chow for growth and feathers, it's a bit higher in protein. (no calcium added)
I have never had one that would not eat egg shell, turn down the oyster shell, but not the egg shell. I dont crush them, I may step on them, or just toss them out.
Feathers are high in protein, and they will eat them, but they should not pull them,,,,at least from others,,

 

[GumBranchChick]

I assume it’s her pulling out her own feathers but I can be sure. I’ve never witnessed it happening. I assume it’s not her being broody bc she’s not sitting or spending lots of time in the nestbox.