Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[My Three Chicks]

Hi. We moved to Seattle with our four beloved 1.5 year old hens 3 months ago. They've been laying consistently for about 8 - 9 months. And have not yet had their 1st molt. Having moved from Souther California where we didn't have cold winters...just wondering if and when I can expect their egg-laying to slow down as the days get shorter and colder here? Also when can I expect them to have their 1st molt?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hey welcome to the state thread and the state.
They have a had a mini molt when they lost the fuzz.
Next anytime you will walk out to a explosion of feathers anytime now..

 

[Hinotori]

Welcome!

They could start molting anytime, or they will wait until next year. I've had hatchery birds molt in spring and some just wait until December.

Light levels is what slows down the laying for the most part. First year layers will give the most eggs over winter.

 

[PopoMyers]

Hey welcome to the state thread and the state.
They have a had a mini molt when they lost the fuzz.
Next anytime you will walk out to a explosion of feathers anytime now..

Also depends on the breed if they explode. My ISAs and Golden comet are molting more after year 2, but not as severe as my black sexlink, barnyard mix, and Welsummers.

 

[My Three Chicks]

Welcome!

They could start molting anytime, or they will wait until next year. I've had hatchery birds molt in spring and some just wait until December.

Light levels is what slows down the laying for the most part. First year layers will give the most eggs over winter.

Oh interesting that some may not molt this year. I'm a bit nervous about it all with this being my 1st flock .

A couple of my girls also like to eat feathers so I'm afraid they are going go go nuts when they see all those feathers!

 

[Hinotori]

Oh interesting that some may not molt this year. I'm a bit nervous about it all with this being my 1st flock .

A couple of my girls also like to eat feathers so I'm afraid they are going go go nuts when they see all those feathers!

Give more protein and see if it helps.

I can't feed layer to my easter eggers and ameraucana or they will pick each other and eat the feathers. Layer is 16% protein. I feed Purina Flockraiser (20%) or similar feed. Or I get Nutrena Egg Producer (21%) when the feed store has it in.

Yes, it's more expensive. They have been eating Country Companion All Flock right now because it's cheaper than the Flockraiser but it only comes in pellet. Only the pens with chicks are getting Flockraiser because it comes in crumble.

 

[Cluckatar]

I've had a nearly full stop on egg laying these past two weeks. Something about the weather has put the brakes on. More than half of my flock is in a hard molt. They are various ages, but I'm not seeing the molt really split by age or breed. It's always a mystery to me. I did have to separate out three hens who were feather picking their poor friends. I've boosted the bug treats, but I might try looking for a higher protein food to get them through this. I'd really like to get the three back into the flock (and the baby roosters out of the flock into the same isolation pen). It's a constant juggling act, and it seems a lot less worth it when no one is laying!

 

[My Three Chicks]

Give more protein and see if it helps.

I can't feed layer to my easter eggers and ameraucana or they will pick each other and eat the feathers. Layer is 16% protein. I feed Purina Flockraiser (20%) or similar feed. Or I get Nutrena Egg Producer (21%) when the feed store has it in.

Yes, it's more expensive. They have been eating Country Companion All Flock right now because it's cheaper than the Flockraiser but it only comes in pellet. Only the pens with chicks are getting Flockraiser because it comes in crumble.

I'm researching higher protein options now and will definitely get some when they start molting. But right now none are showing signs of molting yet. I hope they don't start in the middle of winter. Seems like they'd be very cold and uncomfortable . I wouldn't mind if they hold off until next year!

 

[PopoMyers]

Testing out the new range today. Did the Puyallup yesterday, and it (especially the agro/ floral displays) seemed underwhelming compared to pre COVID. Anyone else go?
Making fried apples, or maybe even pie, from some windfalls. Guaranteed to have worms.
Anybody ever have a molting chicken with very dry, flaky skin, inflammation on head. Using some coconut oil with some healing, antifungal, antibacterial essential oils. This Brahma I just adopted has this issue. Pin feathers growing in, acting normal, breathing fine, no infection evidence, nor lice/ mites. One of her legs is, too.

Happy to update that the salve worked wonders, and she looks almost back to normal, like her sister.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Just got back from AZ vaca, and down there I met a lady from Texas. We talked about owning chickens, and how we both are BYC members. She said her favorite chicken was a frizzle. I told her I had the gray frizzle that used to be my avatar.

She put her hands to her cheeks and said- "I know you!" and gave me a big hug.