Tweety Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 This is the first time one of my girls has moulted, so I am not sure what other symptoms to expect. She is looking very sorry for herself and doesn't even want to eat treats. Is this normal behaviour and is there anything I can give her to make her feel a bit better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Yes, it is normal behaviour. Well, it was for Shirley when she started moulting. It really does take a lot out of them. Try feeding her extra protein like live mealworms, rinsed tuna or if you can get hold of some chick crumbs, they work well too. Hope she is fully feathered soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 I've not had moulting hens yet but did get some chick crumb in anticipation. I got it at my local horsey supplier and it was amazingly cheap (£2 something ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 My moulters seem to have gone very quiet as well, not as friendly as usual. I think they are feeling the cold as well - they seem to be a bit subdued. But the two that moulted first seem to have grown all their feathers back now, are eating more, more friendly and have just come back into lay! I bought a small bag of chick crumbs to supplement their feed - they seem to enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Since I lost a moulting chook I've been making mine a chick crumb oil and vitamin porridge every morning. They seem to appreciate it even the grumpy one who is still moulting it seems to stimulate her appetite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted January 2, 2008 Author Share Posted January 2, 2008 Thanks everyone. She seems to have perked up a bit now - I have been giving them porridge with poultry spice mixed in, but think I will get some chick crumbs too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 I'm puzzled ... someone else recommended rabbit food as a source of protein, but when I looked at a bag in Sainsbury's, it only had 13% protein. The A&P Organic Layers Pellets which I normally buy are described as 16% protein, and the chick crumbs in the same range are 18% protein - not much difference there, surely? I have given mine catfood but don't feel very comfortable with this somehow Is there anything else we can feed them to boost protein? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Boiled eggs tuna or free-dried mealworms. Mine are still feeling sorry for themselves, and I've not had an egg for weeks. Even the now feathered Welsummer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenzin Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Found mine have also gone of their food a little when their in moult to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickaboo Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Sorry, I do go on about this a lot on the forum, but I lost my Ruby during her moult - it was my first experiance of a moulting hen, she wasn't eating and I didn't realise how thin she had got. For the future the vet recommended protein, so I now give mine some tuna (spring water, not brine!!) porridge several times a week during the moult. I didn't realsie how much it takes out of them, and I'd hate the same to happen to anyone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
