Moody hen post-molt

[jaimerd]

Hi all! I have an 18 month old black sex link who has just finished her first molt. At least she has her feathers back. She has not started laying again yet, which is fine. My question/concern is regarding her behavior. She was always the queen of the ball, first out of the coop in the morning and most dominant of the flock. The molt was really hard on her and seems to have taken something out of her. She now mainly hangs out by herself and isn’t super interested in anything like she used to be. She still seems wobbly on her feet and looks like she’s trying to keep herself warm. I give lots of high protein treats to try to help her, but even those she can mostly take or leave. Normal? Not normal? Thanks for any help!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It definitely can be normal. Molting appears to be painful for some, and they end up hiding. She should return to her old self after it's all done. Though it might appear that she's done she probably isn't.

 

[jaimerd]

It definitely can be normal. Molting appears to be painful for some, and they end up hiding. She should return to her old self after it's all done. Though it might appear that she's done she probably isn't.

Thanks! She’s definitely not as filled out as she normally is, so I’m sure that you are right. Just gotta give it time, I guess.

 

[aart]

Birds can lose rank if molting hard...can take time to come back, if they do.

What's your regular feed?
Some extra protein is good, but she still needs the vitamins and minerals in a balanced chicken ration.
Is her crop full at night on the roost....and empty in the morning?
Poops look OK?
Is she literally 'wobbly on her feet'....or just less active?

 

[jaimerd]

Birds can lose rank if molting hard...can take time to come back, if they do.

What's your regular feed?
Some extra protein is good, but she still needs the vitamins and minerals in a balanced chicken ration.
Is her crop full at night on the roost....and empty in the morning?
Poops look OK?
Is she literally 'wobbly on her feet'....or just less active?

Their regular feed is an organic layer feed. They also free range all day. I don’t know about her crop. I didn’t know what that was until only a few days ago. I will definitely check it tonight and tomorrow morning! Her poop is mainly ok. Sometimes it is a little runny. As far as the wobbly...she is literally wobbly. And less active.

 

[aart]

Less active is OK, wobbly isn't good.
May need some more protein, especially animal protein, to help regrow those feathers.
Might not hurt to give her a dose of vitamins.
Hopefully stress from the molt hasn't allowed some icky to rise.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Definitely switch to something with a higher protein, an All Flock, non medicated starter grower, or a feather fixer.

 

[jaimerd]

Thanks! I’ll get some different feed and vitamins today.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I've been wondering about my first time molters too. A few seem down right miserable! Very cranky and refuse to leave the coop. Don't even want to get off the roost most of the time. I figured randy boys chasing them around wasn't helping.

They get feather fixer and other goodies. I can add something else if there is a suggestion.

Poor girls.