Weird molting schedule this year

[rosemarythyme]

I switched them a month ago to Kalmbach layer pellets, 17% protein. I think they have one step higher that is actually for feather growth at 22% but wasn’t sure if that was overkill?

They have a 10x6 run, there are 5 of them. They all fit comfortably in their coop at night, seem to have enough space to dig, food water and dust bath filled with DE and first Saturday lime (one of them just lays in there, she loves it).

They free range but only when supervised, usually about an hour a day but some days we can’t get out with them… we have a ton of predators (hawks, eagles, vultures, everything) so we made sure they had the space and things they needed in their covered run.

Here’s a pic of the setup and two of the birds. One has some black specks on her skin, but I do think that’s dirt/sand. I could very much be wrong, though, but I didn’t see anything moving.

Yeah that all looks like typical picking damage.

22% protein is fine (or you could mix it with the 17% feed to lower it), though I don't know if by itself it'll make much difference now that the habit has begun.

Any possibility of expanding the run? The reality is that the "recommended minimum" is often not enough for some flocks, and you're limited on how much enrichment you can add into the current space.

 

[NewAtThis8]

Yeah that all looks like typical picking damage.

22% protein is fine (or you could mix it with the 17% feed to lower it), though I don't know if by itself it'll make much difference now that the habit has begun.

Any possibility of expanding the run? The reality is that the "recommended minimum" is often not enough for some flocks, and you're limited on how much enrichment you can add into the current space.

I can’t expand it I wonder if those goggles work? I feel terrible. They all seemed fine in the space, til they weren’t. I could maybe do chunnels from the run through the yard- when I say the aerial predators are bad, they’re soooo bad. Every time we go out there’s immediately 4-5 circling and swooping in to check things out.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I can’t expand it I wonder if those goggles work? I feel terrible. They all seemed fine in the space, til they weren’t.

Unfortunately that happens sometimes. Pinless peepers are one option to try for sure.

I could maybe do chunnels from the run through the yard-

Might be worth a try as well, as that would give them something different to do.