three hens are going throw a molt ?

[chickenmama109]

hi i have a flock of 10 1 roost 9 hens why is 3 hens molt but none of the others and when will they start laying eggs again and should i feed them feather fixer thanks

 

[chickens really]

They don't all molt at the same time..You can up the protein in their diet. I feed Grower at 18% all year. No such thing as feather fixer here..

 

[aart]

Hi, I have a flock of 10, 1 rooster and 9 hens.
Why are 3 hens molting, but none of the others?
When will they start laying eggs again?
Should I feed them feather fixer?
Thanks

Some grammar and punctuation added, in case you wanted to learn.

Not all birds molt at the same time, even if they are the same age.

They will start laying after the molt is completed, their bodies are nutritionally restored, and the day length gets longer. It could take from a few weeks to a few months or more.

'Feather Fixer' is a bit of a scam IMO.
It has higher protein than some feeds(18%),
but still has higher calcium(3+%) than non-laying birds need.


I like to feed a flock raiser/starter/grower/finisher type feed with 20% protein crumble full time to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat. I do grind up the crumbles (in the blender) for the chicks for the first week or so.

The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer daily. I adjust the amounts of other feeds to get the protein levels desired with varying situations.
Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container. I also regularly offer digestive granite grit in the appropriate size, throw it out on the ground with the scratch. http://www.jupefeeds-sa.com/documents/GraniteGrit.pdf.

Animal protein (a freshly trapped mouse, a bit of canned mackerel, mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided once in while and during molting and/or if I see any feather eating.