Molting hens. OMG, where are their feathers?
Chickens will normally shed their feathers in late summer or early autumn when sunlight decreases and egg laying slows down. Your birds make look rather scruffy with missing feathers. You’ll also notice abundant feathers laying about. At this time, hens may slow down or stop laying to divert energy into making new feathers, since feathers are made up of about 85 % protein.
Some of the things you can do to help your birds is to give them extra protein and minerals during this time. Some people even give a small handful of cat food. Cat food does contain Amino acids and amino acids, vitamins and minerals are the basic building blocks of protein. ACV or Apple Cider Vinegar is great to add to your birds water anytime of year but during molting it’s especially helpful as it too contains many vitamins and minerals. Chia seed is also wonderful to add to your hens feed, it is loaded with nutrients and protein. Nut butter and peanut butter is something chickens love and can be added in small amounts to oats or oatmeal or yogurt, non dairy if possible. You can also add Molasses as it’s high in many nutrients and minerals. Some other good ideas are mealworms, tuna, scrambled eggs, Black oil sunflower seeds, and kitten chow.
You can feed our Omega 3 Molting blend, it contains ingredients to boost your hens health and support feather growth including kelp which contains at least 70 vitamins, enzymes, minerals, trace elements and proteins. Chia seeds, Pumpkin seeds, Pumpkin seeds are full of manganese, phosphorous, copper, vitamin K, vitamin E, B vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), folates, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium and more! Dandelion, Dandelion also contains protein, more than spinach.
Luckily molt usually only lasts a few weeks. What are some things you do to help your hens during this rather ugly time :)