natural assistance for Molting

[posey]

Hi everyone:
I need the help of my backyard chicken friends.
You all are such a treasure trove of experience and helpful information.
Bless you all.

It's offical, my girls are going through their first molt.
I know it's early but they had lights on throughout the winter.

I know that molting can be stressful for birds and chickens alike.
Soooooo, I am looking for your best suggestions for how to help my chickens go through this molt and come out thriving.

I don't want to stop the molt because it is a natural process in their life cycle.
I do however want to increase their protein intake since feathers are made of protein.
I also want to boost their immune system so that they don't come down with something while molting.
I'd like to so anything else that would help them, calm them, etc.

So please start posting your molting suggestions
Thanks
Posey

 

[chicmom]

Hello, since it's an unlikely time for the molt, I'm wondering if they've stopped laying too, since that is a sure sign of the molt. Have you checked them out for parasites just to be safe? (Of course I'm not saying you don't know your stuff---it's just that those things came to mind.)

Anyhow, you're right on about the extra protein. You could put some vitamins in their water which probably will help keep up their immunities and health....

And of course it's always good to give them extra fresh veggies and fruits if you can.


You sound like an EXCELLENT chicken mama!

 

[posey]

Chicmoma,
Thank you for your kind words. I'm trying hard to be a good mama chicken.

To answer your question - Yes they are molting, for sure.
At first I was concerned because all I saw was feathers everywhere and the girls looked the same as usual.
Then the eggs slacked off - big time.
Then the girls started to spend lots more time just sitting in the coop, not in the nest box but near the pop door.
I checked them for parasites and found nothing.
So, I posted to BYC and some suggested a molt since the days were now shorter than in the winter with the lights on.

I was away for the weekend. I just came back and I can tell it's molting time for my bunch.
Some of the girls have naked necks now and the back side has less coverage too.
We got only 3 eggs out of 8 laying hens and one was mis-shapen and thin shelled.

So what type of vegetables and fruits do you feed your chickens?
And how do you provide it? Chopped up, ground up, just lay it out?.
Thanks and keep your suggestions coming

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

How old are your birds, and do you have a rooster in with them?