No Eggs And Now No Feathers!!!!! Help!!!!!!!!!!!

[skarker]

My birds are in their second year and for the last 4 weeks I've had no eggs at all. What I do have is tons of feathers in the coop as well as out in the run.
Do they molt this late in the year?
Do I need to turn on the heat lamps to keep them warm till they regrow their feathers?
I use coarse pine shavings for bedding throughout the coop and from Spring till Fall I clean it out every week and before I put the shavings back down I sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the floor. Should I keep spinkling that down even though through the winter months I don't clean out the coop???
Or do I have something else going on with my hens???
Thanks!!!

 

[lazy gardener]

They are right on schedule. And no, you don't have to give them heat. I've had hens do a major molt in the middle of winter here. Unless you get temps below 0*F for days on end, they should be fine. Hens often stop laying during the shortest days of the year, and they always stop laying when they are molting. You can boost their protein to help them through their molt.

 

[skarker]

They are right on schedule. And no, you don't have to give them heat. I've had hens do a major molt in the middle of winter here. Unless you get temps below 0*F for days on end, they should be fine. Hens often stop laying during the shortest days of the year, and they always stop laying when they are molting. You can boost their protein to help them through their molt.

Thank you!
How can I be sure it's just molting and nothing else going on with them? They are pampered when it comes to food, you know little things like dried mealworms, leaf lettuce, layer food, cracked corn, plain yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. etc.!!!!! I read that the mealworms are a good source of protein.

 

[lazy gardener]

I would eliminate the cracked corn. They need more protein. While some of your snacks may be higher in protein, you will need to do a check on that. I have no idea what protein content of meal worms is. But lettuce and corn... such items will dilute your overall protein percentage. Check your birds over to be sure they don't have mites or lice.

 

[Splinter022]

I probably would definitely put in a heating lamp. My flock actually is molting during this time of year. Maybe theres some sort of animal like a snake or something eating your eggs. I've actually caught different snakes eating my eggs, but hens normally just slow down or stop laying during this time of the year. I use river sand for my coop because its easier to clean without wasting a bunch of it. I'm pretty sure it'll be fine to keep spreading the diatomaceous earth. From what's happened to my flock, and what I know, your flock is probably just molting. I hope this helps you out!

 

[skarker]

I would eliminate the cracked corn. They need more protein. While some of your snacks may be higher in protein, you will need to do a check on that. I have no idea what protein content of meal worms is. But lettuce and corn... such items will dilute your overall protein percentage. Check your birds over to be sure they don't have mites or lice.

I've been told that cracked corn should be provided during the colder months which allows the birds to generate warmth for them.
Mealworms are a great source of protein, expensive but a great source.
Thank you.
And not all the birds are shedding feathers, so I think it would be safe to rule out lice or mites correct?

 

[skarker]

I probably would definitely put in a heating lamp. My flock actually is molting during this time of year. Maybe theres some sort of animal like a snake or something eating your eggs. I've actually caught different snakes eating my eggs, but hens normally just slow down or stop laying during this time of the year. I use river sand for my coop because its easier to clean without wasting a bunch of it. I'm pretty sure it'll be fine to keep spreading the diatomaceous earth. From what's happened to my flock, and what I know, your flock is probably just molting. I hope this helps you out!

When we built the coop, my husband built it stronger than Fort Knox!!!!! So there's no other vermin or critters getting into the coop area, the run yes we've had a persistent chippy gathering leftover chick treats out there but nothing from inside the coop.
Thanks for the response.

 

[lazy gardener]

Snakes usually go into hibernation during the cold months. As for cracked corn, if it cuts down on the amount of prepared food your birds are eating, that is also cutting their essential vitamins, minerals and protein. Chicken feed is primarily corn. IMO, simply feed them all they want to eat of a good quality blended feed and they will be able to generate all the heat they need. Molting is stressful, so adding extra protein would be in order.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I've been told that cracked corn should be provided during the colder months which allows the birds to generate warmth for them.
Mealworms are a great source of protein, expensive but a great source.
Thank you.
And not all the birds are shedding feathers, so I think it would be safe to rule out lice or mites correct?

Corn is only adding empty calories. A good protein or even a little more of their regular feed, would be better for them than just straight corn.

 

[Josh0625]

I've been told that cracked corn should be provided during the colder months which allows the birds to generate warmth for them.
Mealworms are a great source of protein, expensive but a great source.
Thank you.
And not all the birds are shedding feathers, so I think it would be safe to rule out lice or mites correct?

Yes corn right before bed time help generate more heat in the colder months and for your other question, my birds also stop laying when they molt and slow down in the shorter days as well.