Nevadans?

[Eglyntine]

Other than just making sure they have lots of dirt to ruffle in, higher protein food/treats and plenty of water I do not think there is much else you can do. But there is always a better solution out there we just do not always know it at the time we need it.

The length of moult is dependent on so many factors, most of which you can do nothing about! Better layers tend to do a far more catastrophic moults, and regrow feathers quickly, and may even start laying again before winter starts in full swing. Poorer layers moult over a longer period, taking forever to regrow their feathers.
New feathers require a lot of protein to produce which is why egg laying stops during this time. You either get feathers or eggs but never both or maybe I should say rarely both. You could give them higher protein treats during this time to help out. When I was looking up some high protein foods for you I read a few sites where some people give cat food or canned tuna. I have never tried that myself but I know that they will eat just about anything you put in there for them that is "special" or "different" than their normal food. You could get some wheat or oats for them, they are pretty high in protein but they are not as high in protein as some other stuff I have found.

Searching around I found this list of Protein lvls of different feeds if you are curious:

%PROTEIN, BY WT - FOOD SOURCE


76 - Dried fish flakes
76 - Dried liver
76 - Dried earthworms
50 - Duckweed
50 - Torula yeast
39 - Brewers yeast
37 - Soybeans (dry roasted)
37 - Flaxseed
35 - Alfalfa seed
28 - Beef, lean
28 - Earthworms (live)
28 - Fish
26.3 - Sunflower seeds
25 - Wheat germ
24.5 - Peas & Beans, dried
19.3 - Sesame seed
17 - Soybeans (boiled)
16.6 - Wheat bran
14 - Oats, whole
12.8 - Rice polish
12.5 - Rye
12.5 - Wheat
12.3 - Barley
12 - Oats
9 - Corn
9 - Millet
9 - Milo
7.5 - Rice, brown

A balanced feed will give them pretty much everything they need, but you could give anything on the above list as an extra treat every day and it will help them out plus make them feel pretty special at the same time.

I have seen some sail through it really quickly and others very worryingly go on hunger strike and sulk and hide. Hormones are a funny thing and just like us when your hormones are out of whack you do some pretty funny and not so funny things. If you know what is normal for your birds, you will know when something is really wrong. I have also heard that you could give them a supplement in their water, such as Lifeguard, but it’s pricey and I am not sure your birds are in danger of needing anything like that just yet.

I hope that helps some...

 

[pigtail21]

Yes I can't wait the show is so much fun!! (and a lot of work for the volunteers but so worth it in the end!) And I didn't mean to freak everyone out about the chickens getting sick from the show.... the birds at the shows are always very healthy but the stress of getting bathed and being caged up for my free roaming egg layers can some times stress them into an illness....not necessarily caught at the show but a result of the show

Jeeper: I am not necessarily an expert but after raising laying hens for 6-7 years I have found if I supplement the molting hens with any brand cheapo cat food, it is cheap and high in protein!(cat food is higher in protien than most dog food and that is why dogs like eating out of the litter box! gross I know) I supplement my bantam show birds with turkey grower all year around because some breeds like Seramas are in a continuous molt and replace a feather when they lose it. Turkey grower is oily and I believe that helps my show birds feathers have this natural gleam! Of course you could supplement anything high in good protien. Just my opinion and works for me! I was a veterinarian assistant for 10 years so I learned a few tips on feed.

 

[Jeeper1540]

So would it be ok for me to feed mine turkey grower? i dont know if we have turkey grower at my stores, will meat bird feed supply protein? i will start giving them more worms and crickets. i dont like giving them real meat, like slices of beef or chicken etc. just extra bugs. i give them 20% layer feed instead of 16% since i dont give them any other protein.

Quote:

 

[SunnyDawn]

Worms and crickets are an excellent source of protein and are part of their natural diet. I have heard some recent concern over giving cat food, I can't remember what is added to some cat foods that was causing the problems... somebody help me out here, I know I'm not the only one that read about this. OK, now I've got to do a search on this.

OK, I did a search and the substances that were listed as toxic (that come from cat food) are ethoxyquin, taurine and methione. In the learning section there is a quote from the National Resource Center that speaks of excess, unsafe amino acids found in cat food that can actually kill baby chicks and were considered unsafe for chickens in general.

* Regarding feeding CAT FOOD to chickens,."While it is nutritionally essential, methionine excesses are far more toxic to poultry than similar excesses of tryptophan, lysine, and threonine (National Research Council, 1994)". this quote is from the treat section here on BYCs learning pages.
I did try to find the article that this quote came from but searching for specific articles on the NRC site is more than a tad frustrating...

The consensus, from most of the websites and postings I read, was that feeding cat food in small amounts was probably OK (crush dry food first) but, as most of you already know, I tend to be over-protective so I will err on the side of caution and feed them worms, etc. to provide extra protein instead.

 

[Jeeper1540]

I'm not going to feed them cat food, ive read that before too. I figure i will just go with Worms and Crickets. they really like crickets and worms. its so funny watching them chase each other for worms!

 

[daegorn]

Hi all,

My husband just informed me of some "Luring of children" cases going on in Washoe county. These are two cars that the police are looking for:
1) Green Toyota Corolla (or similar vehicle) 2 door w/ a Star of David in the back windshield.
2) Older white pickup truck, possibly a Ford w/ a gray/silver stripe on the side and possibly a cracked front windshield.

Stay safe, Lisa

On the Chicken end of things, I just went to the feed store and got the girls more goodies! Blk oil sunflower seeds, Flax seeds and oyster shells. I do notice a difference in the winter when they don;t have the bugs to eat. I also know they LOVE crab! Had some left over and they went nuts over it.

 

[Jeeper1540]

^Glad i dont live there!

We just got back from hunting up the canyon, basically my backyard way out here lol. My dad got a 2X1 Buck. 2 on one side and a nub on the other! now just for my deer...

 

[shanyalv]

So sad right now. Looks like I may have to give up chicken farming for the time being.

My grandmother is dying and I am in Ny at the moment to help sort out what is going on with her, My aunt is going through cancer treatments and my grandfather is in no shape to take care of things or to even take care of her. I am planning on moving out here for about 6 months to take care of her until she either passes or things get better. But in the time being my husband is not equipped to deal with or even attempt to try to both work my own business or take care of the countless chores that come with in dealing with the chickens.

I have also just hatched out 5 silkies and one unknown bird. I guess I should start by offering up some of them for sale to my local BYC people and then head to Craigslist to sell the remainder when I come back for a month.

This is all not set in stone yet but I am just so lost at the moment, I was so excited about all of this but I guess I can put it off until I come back to Las Vegas in the early summer next year.

 

[daegorn]

Not to worry, they can come out hear until you get back. I have plenty of room. You just take care of what you can handle up there and we will keep the chicks safe hear. Call me when ever you need.

 

[SunnyDawn]

Quote:
I love that too!!! It's better than TV!

Shanyalv, so sorry to hear about your family's illnesses! I hope you and Daegorn can work something out. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now even without having to stress about your flock! I wish the best for you during this tough time. You will be in all our thoughts!