My chickens look "scruffy"

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

Pretty much all my chickens look pretty ugly right now. Most of them have been losing some feathers and the feathers they have are 'scruffy' looking. They aren't like a normal chicken would look like. I bought them In March, 2009 at one day old from Mcmurray's. I dont have any pics, sorry. I didn't know if they were molting or not, because they are still laying eggs just not that many (but i thought that had to do with it being winter). Also i thought the first time a chicken molted was when they were 2 years old?? Thanks.

~Trista~

 

[Tala]

Mine look kinda "scruffy" when they fluff up to keep warm. They sure don't look as sleek anymore when it's cold. Could that be what's happening???

 

[Terri O]

I would think that they certainly could be molting now. Terri O

 

[kelidei]

Quote:
Hi! I'm going through the same thing! I got my first 25 chicks in March too-- from McMurray. Mine also look very scraggly--- bare patches everywhere... I found blue kote hides and protects bare spots from those tempted to pick and saddles or aprons are a great help--- Makes me feel better anyway when the go out in the cold

 

[highcountrychickens]

You're going through a molt - or... well... they are going through a molt-

happened for my girls at 6 months this year, 7 months for my flock last year...

Give them plenty of protein and tlc, and they'll come through it quickly.

 

[chookchick]

If you are really concerned you could post a pic, maybe tell us more about their diet, etc....

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

Thanks everybody,

They have a layer mash right now (we just switched feeds) they also have grit and oyster shell mixed in with their feed. This weekend we are going to get some pellet feed to mux in with the mash so it fills better in the chicken coop.

Also we are barely getting any eggs today i only got one. Does anybody else think they are molting?

Thanks

~Trista~

 

[vnploveschickens]

I think yours are molting too. Try to give them extra protein as treats like scrambled egg, black oil sunflower seeds, oatmeal w/plain yogurt, probiotic if you can.
Try a feed with higher protein content like Purina's Flock Raiser. Regrowing the feathers takes alot of protein. It will help the feathers grow out a bit quicker.

My flock looked soooooo sad for awhile. You should start seeing the quills of the new feathers soon.

I forgot to mention that I stopped getting eggs from 5 of 6 gals. The only one that is laying eggs is the one that hasn't molted.