Poor feather quality question

[Jpat]

Just done a quick google search for it, is the only difference between the normal brewers yeast and the nutritional stuff the fact that its flaked rather than a powder?

mabye, i only compared the two at my own local grocery store, i noticed the nutritional yeast had more niacin and b vitamins

 

[kjackson1992]

mabye, i only compared the two at my own local grocery store, i noticed the nutritional yeast had more niacin and b vitamins

Awesome, thanks!

 

[Jpat]

No problem! @Miss Lydia might have a better seggestion in the morning

 

[kjackson1992]

No problem! @Miss Lydia might have a better seggestion in the morning

Welcome to the forum

@Miss Lydia has helped me a few times in the past so if she has any further input in the morning I'll keep an eye on the thread! Thanks for all the help

 

[Jpat]

no problem anytime

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Muscovy molt in late fall. Are you sure yours have molted lately? Before molt some have frayed feathers like your seeing and aren't as water proof as they are at beginning of the season. I give extra protein in the form of Salmon an pea dog food small pieces so they can swallow easily, I also give them 6 way scratch that has BOSS in it and meal worms everyday. This is a mixture I keep in a coffee can with a lid of I can shake it and mix good. They also get their pellets too. Since feathers are protein maybe try adding extra protein to their feed or as a treat maybe they will get a taste for the dog or cat food and the extra protein should help with their feather quality. But I'd say just by looking they are in need of a good molt.

 

[kjackson1992]

Alright! I'll look into some mealworms for them perhaps then, not tried them with those before, I know they just don't touch cat food at all.

Maybe they're still in the process of moulting then, because there are a lot of feathers about in oru garden! Thanks for the help all!

 

[chickens really]

Look to me like molting. No need to add higher protein either. The molt is a natural process. I used to think they needed extra protein too till I learned otherwise..

 

[Jpat]

Look to me like molting. No need to add higher protein either. The molt is a natural process. I used to think they needed extra protein too till I learned otherwise..

Added protein would only be a benefit, its a temporary increase. Too much calcium can cause liver and kidney problems but it would take years of mass amounts of protein

 

[DuckyDonna]

Look to me like molting. No need to add higher protein either. The molt is a natural process. I used to think they needed extra protein too till I learned otherwise..

Where did you learn that? I've read that giving extra protein during a molt was helpful in growing out new feathers and helping them get through the molt stronger. They stop laying eggs too so it must take a lot out of them right?