Molting

[maryhas13hens]

My sister and I have 13 chicken. They are Road Island Reds and about 5 months old. Pretty sure their molting so we changed their feed. At least one chicken is laying everyday for about 2 weeks. This evening my sister went out to put them to bed and found 3 eggs. A bit confused at what their doing. If their actually laying do we go back to the reg food or continue with the feed used for molting. Obviously you can tell we’re new at this and while we are enjoying the transition from baby chicks to not quite adulthood it’s been trying sometimes and Im sure we will have more question. Thanks for listening.

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome! Good luck with your flock! What type of feed are you currently feeding them?

 

[416bigbore]

Hello Mary and welcome to BYC, You found an Amazing Poultry Community to be a part of with many great knowledgeable members, who are more then willing to jump in and help you along your journey with any questions you may have.

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC. Egg laying is going to be hit and miss when birds are in molt. Currently my birds are in molt and only getting a couple of eggs a day. I dont bother switching feeds. I keep them on layer feed only.
You'll have to decide which feed to give them, one or the other. Once you decide, stick with it and dont flip flop their feed.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello, Mary, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I'm not sure what feed you were or currently are feeding them. I feed Flock Raiser year round with oyster shell on the side. I never have to change what I'm feeding to be ready for any changes in the flock.

 

[N F C]

Hi Mary, I'm another one that doesn't change feed when my flock is molting. Best wishes with your RIR's, they're a wonderful breed that will produce well for you once done molting.

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. Great advice already given on feeding.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I agree with what everyone else has said but I will add that if I have a hen who is having trouble molting, if she seems extra worn out by it or she's lower in the pecking order and not getting to the food as much as she needs, I will supplement the food with poutlry conditioner and add some electrolytes to the water. I also make sure to provide extra feeders in that case because they don't need any added stress during the molt.

 

[swampfox440]

Hi , Welcome to BYC! So glad you decided to join .

 

[cmom]

I'm a breeder and one of my breeds is Rhode Island Reds. During breeding season and when the birds are molting I give them a higher protein feed because their feathers are primarily made of protein. Now I have a lot of mixed ages of birds so I am feeding them All Flock which is good for all of the birds and it's a higher protein feed and they are all molting. Good luck and have fun...