molting

[graciesmum]

I think one of my hens maybe molting, what are the signs and should I give them anything extrs?

 

[Keltara]

A molting hen will do one of 2 things. She's either start losing feathers progressively and start to look a raggedy, or she'll have a "feather explosion". My hens tend to go both ways depending upon who it is. If she is losing feathers, she's molting. Extra protein in the form of scrambled eggs is always helpful for a molting hen. I had 2 hens that went into their first molt in January of 2012 and they didn't come out of their molt for NINE months!!! Each bird does things in their own way and in their own time. So to sum up...loss of feather equals molt. Scrambled eggs...good for molt.

Kelly

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Our Country Chronicles

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[graciesmum]

One is laying a really thin shelled egg, it's so thin it can't support contents, could this be the one who is molting? Also one who is molting has the brightest comb out of the three

 

[Keltara]

One is laying a really thin shelled egg, it's so thin it can't support contents, could this be the one who is molting? Also one who is molting has the brightest comb out of the three

Well? I've never had a molt result in thin egg shells. I think your girl just needs a higher amount of calcium. Can you offer your girls some oyster shells? If her shells are weak, she needs more calcium. Make sure you have a constant source for calcium in their feeding area. They will take what they need from it. You should see improvement.

 

[graciesmum]

They have oyster shell on tap, have since I first had them, and I give them Layer pellets, they also free range for 12 hours a day minimum, also is it true the comb goes duller once they have laid? I have had 2 eggs today and 2 have duller combs? The other one is really bright x