Winter Molt?? Protein Question...

[LovinMyHensInNC!]

It appears like two of my hens decided to start molting in the middle of winter!! After reading some older posts on molting, the consensus seems to be to increase their protein to 20%. In what way do you do that in terms of their primary food? They are currently on layer crumbles... does chick starter or game bird food have more protein in it? What type of food should I buy them? I will giver them more snacks like BOSS and scrambled eggs but I was wanting to increase their primary food since I don't have a specific schedule of snack giving. Thanks!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Yes both have more protein in them. I don't feed my birds BOSS--Omega 6 not really that good for you. I do feed them scrambled eggs and occassionally a handful of good quality dog food

 

[KKatknap]

Calf manna also works great as a supplement.

 

[gsim]

LovinMyHensInNC! :

It appears like two of my hens decided to start molting in the middle of winter!! After reading some older posts on molting, the consensus seems to be to increase their protein to 20%. In what way do you do that in terms of their primary food? They are currently on layer crumbles... does chick starter or game bird food have more protein in it? What type of food should I buy them? I will giver them more snacks like BOSS and scrambled eggs but I was wanting to increase their primary food since I don't have a specific schedule of snack giving. Thanks!

Chick starter has more protein. Calf-manna has 20% and so does hog feed I think. You might grind up your eggshells like I do and recycle them into the feed by putting them on top when you refill their trough. Beans have protein too. BTW, Coyote is right in saying omega 6 is not good for us. It is what makes cellulilte and clogs arteries. That is why we do not consume canola oils. Likely not good for chooks either..​