Molting Hen - Not Eating, Excessively Drinking, Only Pooping Water

[Wyorp Rock]

Melody, how was your girl’s crop before bed? @Wyorp Rock

Her crop was pretty full, but she was eating. I will check her again in the morning. I worked on her a few times today, but have yet to restrict her diet. I usually wait a few days to see if I can get things moving before deciding to separate completely. She's molting and I don't want to stress her anymore than I have too.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

If I actively saw someone drinking excess water... and then watery poos... I would not jump to treating for coccidiosis, while it may not hurt the birds... it also surely doesn't help them if they don't have the issue AND more importantly I do everything I can to avoid building resistance to things I KNOW I might NEED in the future. But I always appreciate seeing how others consider and do things as it gives me a chance to re assess my practice and learn new things.

Molting now seems like a scary time of year to face for me... wondering who will or won't make it through the difficult time. I haven't YET lost a molter... but their behavior really does clue me in to just HOW hard it can be on them.

Hoping all is well!

And good on you for working hard to secure their enclosure!

Did ya get the heat wave that we did yesterday and the day before... Thought I was gonna have a heat stroke... it was like 78 degrees! Not sure it was a record, but man when you ain't used to it.

 

[micstrachan]

Ugh. Both Millie and Roxy have firm crops this morning. Roxy’s loosened a bit easily with massage. Millie’s not so much. I can’t find my coconut oil, but will get more & give some this evening, along with more massage. Frozen coconut oil and massage worked for Millie before. I don’t think I can prevent feather eating right now with five molters, but will do my best to help them.

 

[micstrachan]

If I actively saw someone drinking excess water... and then watery poos... I would not jump to treating for coccidiosis, while it may not hurt the birds... it also surely doesn't help them if they don't have the issue AND more importantly I do everything I can to avoid building resistance to things I KNOW I might NEED in the future. But I always appreciate seeing how others consider and do things as it gives me a chance to re assess my practice and learn new things.

Molting now seems like a scary time of year to face for me... wondering who will or won't make it through the difficult time. I haven't YET lost a molter... but their behavior really does clue me in to just HOW hard it can be on them.

Hoping all is well!

And good on you for working hard to secure their enclosure!

Did ya get the heat wave that we did yesterday and the day before... Thought I was gonna have a heat stroke... it was like 78 degrees! Not sure it was a record, but man when you ain't used to it.

I’ll hold off on Corid. It was sunny and warm here, but that’s pretty normal for us!

Edited to add: sorry... forgot to say thanks!!! I’m at work and sneaking in a quick BYC peak.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Ugh. Both Millie and Roxy have firm crops this morning. Roxy’s loosened a bit easily with massage. Millie’s not so much. I can’t find my coconut oil, but will get more & give some this evening, along with more massage. Frozen coconut oil and massage worked for Millie before. I don’t think I can prevent feather eating right now with five molters, but will do my best to help them.

Are they eating the feathers? You think that's why they have firm crops in the morning?
I would increase protein ASAP to see if that makes a difference in the feather eating.
Chick starter or flock raiser would work or you can give them about 1Tblsp each good quality canned dog food or even some chopped beef liver.

I also give mine poultry vitamins once a week when molting. Either direct dose or sometimes I just add them to a wet mash. PND is good, but I've found that Poultry Cell has more B vitamins.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have recently started using the poultry cell (on occasion, need indicated by hatch result in Silkies despite no excess treats) instead of PND... I think they do have different purposes.

Feathers actually only contain about 2% digestible protein in the form of keratin... Often it can be boredom or just habit even. Maybe adding in some enrichment (for the mind) can help to stave of the feather eating? But it's true that new feathers are made from 90% protein and it's amino acids. And I saw that some birds who do feather pull and eat are actually going after the bloody or meaty bases of the fresh plucked feathers.

I remember reading that oil actually wasn't that helpful in clearing crop issues and massage was best... but knowing where the blockage is can be difficult.. This is one area I have MUCH leaning to do still and haven't faced it yet. Maybe getting some extra grit in can help?

I HATE to mention it... sometimes slow crop can be an indicator of Marek's, and molting could make other things rear their ugly head.

Hoping for quick recovery!

 

[micstrachan]

Are they eating the feathers? You think that's why they have firm crops in the morning?
I would increase protein ASAP to see if that makes a difference in the feather eating.
Chick starter or flock raiser would work or you can give them about 1Tblsp each good quality canned dog food or even some chopped beef liver.

I also give mine poultry vitamins once a week when molting. Either direct dose or sometimes I just add them to a wet mash. PND is good, but I've found that Poultry Cell has more B vitamins.

They are on havlf 22% grower, half 17% layer. They seemed to do better on just the grower, so I may gradually switch them back.

Good call on adding vitamins once a week. I have Nutridrench, Sav-a-Chick, and Rooster Booster on hand. Is one preferred?

 

[micstrachan]

I have recently started using the poultry cell (on occasion, need indicated by hatch result in Silkies despite no excess treats) instead of PND... I think they do have different purposes.

Feathers actually only contain about 2% digestible protein in the form of keratin... Often it can be boredom or just habit even. Maybe adding in some enrichment (for the mind) can help to stave of the feather eating? But it's true that new feathers are made from 90% protein and it's amino acids. And I saw that some birds who do feather pull and eat are actually going after the bloody or meaty bases of the fresh plucked feathers.

I remember reading that oil actually wasn't that helpful in clearing crop issues and massage was best... but knowing where the blockage is can be difficult.. This is one area I have MUCH leaning to do still and haven't faced it yet. Maybe getting some extra grit in can help?

I HATE to mention it... sometimes slow crop can be an indicator of Marek's, and molting could make other things rear their ugly head.

Hoping for quick recovery!

Yes, Marek’s will always be on my mind. Millie had a limp for SEVERAL months. It seemed to be an injury and improved with rest, but persisted slightly for a long time. Haven’t seen the limp in months. Yay!

They have granite grit available in three separate containers in the run, but it seems to go untouched.

As far as feather eating, we didn’t seem to have a problem until molt. Ugh!

 

[micstrachan]

Oh, duh. PND is poultry nutridrench, isn’t it?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They are on havlf 22% grower, half 17% layer. They seemed to do better on just the grower, so I may gradually switch them back.

Good call on adding vitamins once a week. I have Nutridrench, Sav-a-Chick, and Rooster Booster on hand. Is one preferred?

Oh, duh. PND is poultry nutridrench, isn’t it?

LOL You are too funny Michelle!

For molters and adding to feed I use Rooster Booster Poultry Cell. PND I use for quick uptake in chicks or a hen that's in distress.
Either one is good, but the RBPC has more B vitamins.