MY CHICKENS ARE PLUCKING THEMSELVES TO DEATH

[micstrachan]

I got them September 13th of 2019! So a year and 4 months old. (16 months)

That is perfect timing for a first molt. Mine is 17 months.

 

[Loreta Hen]

Next time I go to buy more feed I'll pick some up! should I just mix it in with their food?

I buy the food for laying hens that has the oyster shell in it, plus I give them eggshells that are broken up. They love them.

 

[gluckgluck9000]

I buy the food for laying hens that has the oyster shell in it, plus I give them eggshells that are broken up. They love them.

Amazing thank you!!!

 

[gluckgluck9000]

I would give one for them to share. I would mix 1/4 cup of their regular feed with warm water....just enough to make it like cooked oatmeal consistency after it has sat for 5 minutes then mix the fish in a little. It is fine if it is still in chunks. They will go nutty for it like it's a treat even though it is their regular feed. It may take a couple days for them to decide it is edible since it is new. Mix a fresh batch each morning. It gets gross and can mold if left overnight.

With just 2 birds are you buying the small bags of feed? I cannot imagine them going through a 50# bag before it went bad.

Hello,

I just got around to making this for them! They absolutely love it!
Can I ask how you usually store it? I don't really want to put it in my fridge because it stinks and I have 4 other roommates.

Also how often would you recommend making this for them a week?
Should I keep making it even after they complete their molt?

Thanks,
Liz

 

[21hens-incharge]

Hello,

I just got around to making this for them! They absolutely love it!
Can I ask how you usually store it? I don't really want to put it in my fridge because it stinks and I have 4 other roommates.

Also how often would you recommend making this for them a week?
Should I keep making it even after they complete their molt?

Thanks,
Liz

The mash should be fresh every day. The 2 hens should be able to eat it all in one day.
The fish.....yes I refrigerate any unused. With roommates maybe tuna would be a better choice. It all stinks though.

 

[gluckgluck9000]

The mash should be fresh every day. The 2 hens should be able to eat it all in one day.
The fish.....yes I refrigerate any unused. With roommates maybe tuna would be a better choice. It all stinks though.

I think I have a master plan. I lock it up in a sealed Tupperware container then put it outside on my grill under my porch. So the chickens can't reach it, and the coons can't get it.

 

[gluckgluck9000]

The mash should be fresh every day. The 2 hens should be able to eat it all in one day.
The fish.....yes I refrigerate any unused. With roommates maybe tuna would be a better choice. It all stinks though.

How often should I make it for them please?

 

[21hens-incharge]

How often should I make it for them please?

I give wet mash every day because of my cross beak bird. The fish won't keep long once opened so daily while molting is fine.

 

[Purple_grape84]

Have you tried kitten food? High in protein, dry, no smell, easy to feed. I would feed every day until molt is over.

 

[NatJ]

Have you tried kitten food? High in protein, dry, no smell, easy to feed. I would feed every day until molt is over.

Chick starter or game bird starter would have the same list of good points
Yes, the kitten food has more protein than chick starter--but chick starter can be fed as the sole ration, while the kitten food should only be a supplement, so the total protein in the diet might be equal.

Chick starter is fine to feed to any age chicken, and can be a very good choice when they're molting (baby chicks have to grow lots of feathers, too.)