What foods can i give molting chickens?

[U_Stormcrow]

I have a pot on the stove right now.

When I pick it I will collect all the bones, giblets, and bits -- including the skin which, having been first roasted and then simmered, hasn't much fat left -- and mix it up with the soup veggie trimmings. They love it.

Some people would avoid leaving the bones lying around. I let the small ones become one with the bedding and only rake out the larger ones that don't break down readily.

Same, same!

Ok, I burn the large bones, and then compost the bone meal. Otherwise, same same. Birds do love it.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I agree, but want to emphasize, that level of calcium is only meant for high-frequency production layers of large+ sized eggs in their prime laying period - that is, before their first adult molt. Leghorns, RSLs, etc.

Its not meant for Brahma, Silkies, Serama, or any of the other of most of a hundred breeds of chicken that don't produce 280+ large+ sized eggs in their first 12 months or so of laying. There is every reason to believe that chickens producing smaller eggs at lesser rates need less calcium, and every reason to believe that an excess of calcium in the diet has long term and progressive health consequences.

So if the bird is intended to live a long life as your pet, why risk it?

My Wyandottes, who are very good layers when they're not broody, go through a cup of oyster shell a week on average, even when they are on layer feed. There are many variables. No pet chickens here after my 1st batch 29 years ago.

 

[Kiki]

I use Feather Fixer.

Are you aware that it's only 18% protein?

 

[Kiki]

Guys please remember to read the nutritional value labels on the bags.
Half the time what the feed is called or other crap advertisement on the bag is just that ...crap to trick you into thinking it's something better than it really is.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

My Wyandottes, who are very good layers when they're not broody, go through a cup of oyster shell a week on average, even when they are on layer feed. There are many variables. No pet chickens here after my 1st batch 29 years ago.

Setting aside, for a moment, that this is mere anecdote - I'm not sure what you are trying to prove here?

Is it that excess calcium isn't a problem for infrequent layers of medium eggs because your Wyans are "very good layers"? Nor, absent a flock count, does a "cup of oyster shell a week" give us any idea of how many birds are eating it. While "even when they are on layer feed" suggests that there are times when they are not. Does "no pet chickens here" mean you are culling/rehoming after the first year or two of production, as commercial or home-based limited commercial egg producer might do? Or are you keeping them till they fall over, then opening them up and poking around inside for cause?

In short, your posts have been long on supposition, but you have yet to cite anything in support of your claims which has even the illusion of scientific rigor. Your questions, however, are (thus far) easily answered.

If, as you propose, "Feather Fixer" is deliberately crafted for molting birds, a period you suggest is 4-6 weeks, why is it sold in 50# bags, suitable for feeding six birds for more than a month? Since they don't all molt at the same time, wouldn't a smaller package be more appropriate, similar to the way Starter/Grower is usually marketed?

As to what they know, their "Layer" feed in the same product line is here. The difference between the two? FF has 2% more protein, 1.5% more fat, and 0.3% less calcium. Disclosed amino acid content is unchanged. Which sort of of begs the question why, if feathers are primarily keratins crosslinked by disulfide bonds made from the sulphur-containing amino acids (Methionine, cysteine, homocysteine, and taurine), and only about 1.2% fat, does Feather Fixer have more fat than Layer feed but no adjustment to amino acid levels?

At this point, I'm inclined to believe Nutrena is more motivated by marketing than Science in purveying "FeatherFixer" to the backyard owner - though compared to their layer feed, it is a superior offering. Their All Flock, with free-choice oyster, is better still.

Nutrena, in fact, knows so much about poultry that they helpfully write this, "May also be fed to laying hens and mature roosters year-round for optimal feathering and brilliant plumage" on their Feather Fixer page (linked above) and follow it with this - "Make oyster shell available free choice from the onset of lay". Good to know they think Roosters are appropriately fed on a diet of 3.5% calcium all their adult lives...

 

[NatJ]

If... "Feather Fixer" is deliberately crafted for molting birds, a period you suggest is 4-6 weeks, why is it sold in 50# bags, suitable for feeding six birds for more than a month? Since they don't all molt at the same time, wouldn't a smaller package be more appropriate, similar to the way Starter/Grower is usually marketed?

https://www.nutrenaworld.com/product/naturewise-feather-fixer-poultry-feed

"Premium, *natural nutrition to support feather growth during molt and egg production year-round"

"NatureWise Feather Fixer 18% Poultry Feed is crafted with the right balance of protein, amino acids, chelated minerals, and fat to support feather growth during molt as well as keep your birds looking their best all year long. Fortified with vitamin D3 and essential oils for healthier hens and eggs, maximized egg production, superior eggshell strength, and noticeably vibrant egg yolks. It is an excellent choice to keep your hens and roosters looking their best."

That is what the manufacturer says about the feed. (Link to the website, and quotes from the website)

I think that means: it has enough calcium for laying hens because it is INTENDED for laying hens.

But plenty of people worry that a molting hen needs something special-- so by marketing this for molting hens, the company hopes to gain some customers (people start buying it when their hens molt) and keep some other customers (people do not switch away from it when their hens are molting, because the package tells them it's good for molting birds too.)

The blurb says it is also good for roosters, which doesn't sound quite right to me (calcium?), but other than that, it just sounds like layer feed with a fancy description.

At this point, I'm inclined to believe Nutrena is more motivated by marketing than Science in purveying "FeatherFixer" to the backyard owner

You are probably right, but since it is basically a layer feed, it should not harm any hens if owners switch from other layer feed to Feather Fixer.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

https://www.nutrenaworld.com/product/naturewise-feather-fixer-poultry-feed

"Premium, *natural nutrition to support feather growth during molt and egg production year-round"

"NatureWise Feather Fixer 18% Poultry Feed is crafted with the right balance of protein, amino acids, chelated minerals, and fat to support feather growth during molt as well as keep your birds looking their best all year long. Fortified with vitamin D3 and essential oils for healthier hens and eggs, maximized egg production, superior eggshell strength, and noticeably vibrant egg yolks. It is an excellent choice to keep your hens and roosters looking their best."

That is what the manufacturer says about the feed. (Link to the website, and quotes from the website)

I think that means: it has enough calcium for laying hens because it is INTENDED for laying hens.

But plenty of people worry that a molting hen needs something special-- so by marketing this for molting hens, the company hopes to gain some customers (people start buying it when their hens molt) and keep some other customers (people do not switch away from it when their hens are molting, because the package tells them it's good for molting birds too.)

The blurb says it is also good for roosters, which doesn't sound quite right to me (calcium?), but other than that, it just sounds like layer feed with a fancy description.


You are probably right, but since it is basically a layer feed, it should not harm any hens if owners switch from other layer feed to Feather Fixer.

Yup, the excess calcium is a concern for roosters, just as its a concern for birds that aren't laying, or are infrequent layers of less than large+ eggs - for whom the studies which resulted in layer feed formulations were not originally designed.

One of our Posters was suggesting Feather Fixer was a superior product for giving to molting birds (did not distinguish "hens", neither did the original poster seeking help, and neither does Nutrena). Apparently, for no other reason than that its labeled "Feather Fixer".

We have a difference of opinion, and great difference in supporting authority.

 

[NatJ]

One of our Posters was suggesting... We have a difference of opinion, and great difference in supporting authority.

I noticed.

That is why I quoted what the manufacturer said-- I was getting tired of reading the argument, and at least the manufacturer is one kind of authority about the actual intended purpose of the stuff!

 

[Hair@Karens]

Best and healthy foods/table scraps or anything to give to molting chickens.

We give ours feather fixer

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

We give ours feather fixer

Are you aware that it's only 18% protein?