Preventing a molt- How do I? And should I?

[NurseELB]

Last year I was complaining to my doctor during my checkup that our hens were molting. They looked miserable and hadn't laid in 6 weeks. She told me she doesn't let her chickens molt. I can't remember HOW she does it, though, AND I'm curious as to what everyone thinks about whether to do it or not. My hen that had the hardest time is due to molt next month, so if there is a treatment to put her on I want to get prepared.

 

[jacyjones]

Can't imagine how or why you would stop a natural process in which new feathers replace old! Leave nature alone I say!!

 

[NurseELB]

There is a 2 fold reason for stopping her molt this year. 1) She had a tough molt last year, and 2)I never thought she'd start laying again after the last molt. It took almost 10 weeks! She is our only egg producer right now, the babies should start laying in late October, hopefully.

 

[lauralou]

I think it would be done by adding light in the coop so the natural shortening of days at the end of summer is artificially lengthened.

Did that make the least bit of sense? LOL

Put a light in the coop, on a timer, so it comes on very early in the morning, thus lengthening the hours of daylight that your hens are getting. Yeah, that's what i meant to say.

 

[Mahonri]

I have a light on in the coop. They are all going through a molt. Feathers everywhere.

 

[lauralou]

oh well, there goes my best idea....

 

[NurseELB]

She said something about flax seed berries? Does that sound right?

 

[sotelomary]

Why don't you give her a call and ask? How long has she been doing this? Does it prevent ALL chickens from molting?

I don't really understand why they molt. Their feathers all seem perfectly fine to me.

Mary

 

[Katy]

I don't know why you'd want to stop her molt even if she's the only one laying right now. It's her body's way of getting nice new feathers for winter and also giving her body a break from laying. Not letting her molt will shorten her life by not letting her get the rest she needs.

 

[Organics North]

Quote:

Instead of trying to stop the molt, maybe help her through it...

Lots of good feather growing (High protein feeds.) Things like meat, fishmeal, BOSS and so forth.. Maybe stick her back on grower during the molt? If she had a tough time last year... Did she get enough protein.?. (No low protein treats.....

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ON