Helping My Girls Through Their First Molt!!!

[MegsEggsx]

Heyyy,
I have been expecting this for a little while, there have been signs like misshaped eggs and slowing of egg production. I was pretty excited when I noticed today that my Langshan bantam Meg had began molting! At the moment it is just her but I think her 2 sisters will begin very soon, and then the other four will follow along later. This is their first molt and I know this is a very stressful stage for the girls so I was wondering if there are any tips or things that I should know to make this as smooth and painless as possible for them? Also is there a special feed I should give them?

 

[NatJ]

I don't think you need to do anything special.

Hens need enough protein when they are molting. But they also need enough protein when they are laying, so it mostly balances out if they quit laying while they molt.

Ordinary chicken food should be fine, although you can switch them to chick starter if you want. Chick starter usually has more protein than food labeled for adult chickens (usually but not always: read the package to be sure.) You would want an un-medicated chick starter for this.

Chick starter is a good food for chickens of all ages, but you do need to provide a separate source of calcium so the hens that are still laying can get enough. A dish of oyster shell usually works well. (The right amount of calcium for a laying hen is higher than the right amount for a baby chick, but hens are usually quite good at eating the right amount for their own needs.)

 

[MegsEggsx]

Forgot to add: Meg has recently been broody (used the cage to break her) and she lost a lot of weight. I have been trying get her to put on some weight but it’s not really working. I am particularly worried that she will lose her appetite over molting and not have any fat stored to survive off.

 

[MegsEggsx]

I don't think you need to do anything special.

Hens need enough protein when they are molting. But they also need enough protein when they are laying, so it mostly balances out if they quit laying while they molt.

Ordinary chicken food should be fine, although you can switch them to chick starter if you want. Chick starter usually has more protein than food labeled for adult chickens (usually but not always: read the package to be sure.) You would want an un-medicated chick starter for this.

Chick starter is a good food for chickens of all ages, but you do need to provide a separate source of calcium so the hens that are still laying can get enough. A dish of oyster shell usually works well. (The right amount of calcium for a laying hen is higher than the right amount for a baby chick, but hens are usually quite good at eating the right amount for their own needs.)

Thanks for the reply! I have them on layer feed I think at the moment so I don’t think I will change that because it gives them enough calcium I think. But if I run out then I will probably give them chick starter.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Scrambled eggs are good protein. I free choice floating fish food 38% protein and they eat if they need. Remember it hurts them so they may become aloof and it hurts when you pet them. Free choice calcium for sure and add extra protein sources or chick feed.

 

[Happy hen lover]

And get ready for the feather storm! Ha

 

[MegsEggsx]

Scrambled eggs are good protein. I free choice floating fish food 38% protein and they eat if they need. Remember it hurts them so they may become aloof and it hurts when you pet them. Free choice calcium for sure and add extra protein sources or chick feed.

Scrambled eggs is a good idea, will have to remember that one! When you say floating fish food, what do you mean? Do you mean put the dish food in a dish of water? Sometimes I have to pick them up to put them away at night, is there a way that I can do that without hurting them too much?

 

[MegsEggsx]

And get ready for the feather storm! Ha

Yes there is already feathers scattered all over the coop floor and it’s only from 1 (or 2) chickens!

 

[NatJ]

Sometimes I have to pick them up to put them away at night, is there a way that I can do that without hurting them too much?

Being picked up might be uncomfortable for them, but changes can also be uncomfortable and stressful for them. So I would stick with what you know works, but not spend extra time holding and cuddling them while they are molting.

 

[NatJ]

Meg has recently been broody (used the cage to break her) and she lost a lot of weight. I have been trying get her to put on some weight but it’s not really working. I am particularly worried that she will lose her appetite over molting and not have any fat stored to survive off.

A laying hen has lots of egg yolks of various sizes, each getting bigger until it is ready to lay.

When a hen goes broody, she absorbs those yolks, as well as using up some of her fat.

But the weight she "lost" while absorbing those egg yolks will not come back until she is about ready to lay again. So she will probably continue to be a bit lighter, until she has finished her molt and is ready to lay.

Most chickens will eat enough food to stay healthy, so I wouldn't worry too much.

You could get a bit of their chicken food wet with water and offer it as a treat, because most chickens really like it that way.