Molting question

[DuckieTam]

Hi, I have searched and I can't seem to find the answer to my question. I have 2 Buff Orpington Ducks 3/12 and 7/12 hatches. Early last month they both stopped laying, I figured it was because they went broody. But after a week of no eggs I noticed that there was feathers all over the place, then they flapped their wings and that was when I noticed they were in a molt. I am wondering about how long will they stop laying eggs while they go through this molt?

I mainly wonder so I know what to tell my egg buyers? It has been a full month now with not one duck egg in the nest.

Thanks in Advance

 

[jdywntr]

It will depend. Some have really easy molts and some really hard. You can help by offering them a high protein supplement since feathers are protein. High quality cat food is good just make sure that meat is the first ingredient.

 

[DuckieTam]

I have had mine on a high protein diet for a couple of months (my chickens were plucking each others feathers) right now they are in a 20% layer, and I supplement with BOSS and oat sprouts, fodder, scratch, and I feed them back eggs on occasion. To me it seems their feathers are almost back to pre-molt size. Im hoping they are close to laying again? I am expecting 2 months total time off for the molt, is that average?