Dave36 Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Hi Everyone Sorry this may seem boring, But how long do hens moult for ? its just ours seem to have been moulting for months, No fleas and eggs everyday , tails high, and very happy. One even started at the end of August and is still half naked withno signof new feathers as yet. I hope someone can help me with this ....This is there first mould and are about 1 year old .. Many thanks Dave & Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 I am new so no expert but I believe that they need protein to grow the new feathers, perhaps they need some extra help? I am giving mine tuna in spring water (don't use the stuff in brine unless you rinse it thoroughly first) Tuna is a tip I picked up off this forum and mine love it, someone also recommended non chicken flavour cat food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Is there a certain time of year when they start to moult? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 It certainly sounds a long time to be in moult - even our L/F orps who have LOTS of feathers regrow within about 3 months. I'm sorry but I have no experience/idea why yours should be taking so long; the only small comfort is I can say a couple of ours are still dropping a few feathers even tho they are really in the regrowth phase; its almost like a 2 phase thing. Protein is required in large amounts to grow featherage so I presume yours are on a good quality layers pellet? You could try supplements as well and cut back on the treats so they eat the pellets. I'm sure somebody else will be along to help shortly. Birds go into moult (generally) in late summer/autumn. They come to the end of an egg laying cycle (and sometimes it happens post-broodiness) and moult. Depending on variety they may come back into lay afterwards or wait until the following year. They can't lay and be in moult at the same time - its too demanding on their bodies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Mine are taking ages too - lost some feathers underneath when it first turned colder a few months back and this week have lost lots of bigger feathers. Mine also seem in fine fettle and are also just over a year old No idea if it's normal but mine are doing it too! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCoop Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Our Barbara has been moulting for at least a month, but now her new feathers are well and truly coming through (she still has a way to go though...). As it's winter, I give our 3 porridge with a healthy dose of chicken spice mixed in - they love it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEB Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 One of mine is moulting too, its only been about a month so far, but feels like so long ago when we last had a nice blue egg from her. I'm inpatient for her to start laying again, but looking at the state of her I'm guessing I've got a while to wait yet. Have noticed she is drinking much more than normal, has anyone else noticed this about their moulting chooks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave36 Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 Many thanks for your posts. I have been giving 8 hens about a tin of cat food a week between them and still no real luck ive recently run out of poultry spice, but even so its still taking forever and today i have been to see them and one has been bleeding from her almost bald tail feathers and so i have sprayed her well with purple spray, i hope she isnt being pecked at ? and i will keep my eye on her, but i just cantbeleive it is taking so long ....never seen lots of feathers anywhere just the odd one we clean them out well and use poultry shield and then use diatom in there bedding and bars they are very happy just taking forever to start a re groath..Once again many thanks Dave & jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 the other thing is - have they been treated for lice/mites? You need to keep an eye on the bleeding because hens are attracted to blood; hopefully the purple spray will do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEB Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 I'm not very experianced in these things, but are you sure they're moulting and there is nothing else going on? It seems odd to me that you say they are still laying...normally they stop as all their energy goes on feather growth. Also strange that you say not many feathers....only one of mine is moulting and there are feathers everywhere. Not sure that it would be normal to bleed from moulting either. Are you sure there's no feather plucking going on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 The fact that there has been bleeding rather suggests that one of the hens is pecking at the new feathers. They have a rich blood supply when emerging, and one a hen develops a taste for this , it is a hard habit to break. I would observe them and work out who the culprit is and then put a **bumpa bit** on her. Available from the **Wernlas Collection.**. Give them a call, they are friendly and helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Some are quicker than others - our bella started moulting early Nov and is almost fully regrown now. Rye only started a week ago, but has lost her feathers far more quickly and I can already see the new feathers coming through. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 sorry - I managed to not read the bit about they are still laying in your original post. I would say that somebody is pecking and to follow Egluntine's advice. Do check for lice/mites as well as they can inhibit feather growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave36 Posted December 22, 2008 Author Share Posted December 22, 2008 Hi everyone Today i have noticed that she is being pecked and so for now i will keep her apart from the others, As for the moulting i have checked them all over and cant see any mites at all. i will keep her apart untill i get some bits for the hens. Should i put her back with the others at night to sleep?? I will take her in and give her a gentle clean up ..a bit of a wash and reaply the purple spray. I hope they get feathers soon.. Many thanks Dave & Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
