4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[house-elf]

my hens now all appear to be going through a partial moult, all seem happy and perky, just alittle dull in their feathers which i assume is due to the moult. I think this is why i haven't had anymore eggs, so i was wondering if i should use a tonic or apple cider vinegar in their water ?

 

What do you recommend and can it go in a stainless steel bowl as I'm sure I read somewhere that you can't put it in that ????

 

I use poultry spice in their pellets and garlic too...

[Space Chick]

If they are going through a moult, poultry tonic is meant to be good for them. I know a lot of people give their girls some extra protein to help them, generally a fish based cat food (expensive ones which don't have chicken in them - standard fish ones could have chicken) or even some tinned tuna - in oil or springwater, not brine as too salty.

 

Can't help with the stainless steel containers, but I have some vague recollections that this sounds familiar.

[Falkor]

At 20 weeks I think it is unlikely to be a moult, maybe just some young feathers coming out.

 

I brought home two newbies aged 13 weeks a few days ago and they have lost a fair few feathers. I think it is something to do with the move....I sat outside with them all day yesterday and know that they are not pecking.

 

A tonic can`t hurt them so give it a go but i am sure they will settle into things.

 

ACV should not be used in metal containers....I think it corrodes them

[The Dogmother]

That's right, it does.

 

I'd recommend a good quality poultry tonic in the water and extra protein in the diet - meal worms are good for this, or chick crumbs.

[Saronne]

At 20 weeks I think it is unlikely to be a moult, maybe just some young feathers coming out.

 

I brought home two newbies aged 13 weeks a few days ago and they have lost a fair few feathers. I think it is something to do with the move....I sat outside with them all day yesterday and know that they are not pecking.

 

A tonic can`t hurt them so give it a go but i am sure they will settle into things.

 

ACV should not be used in metal containers....I think it corrodes them

 

 

Yes, my 14 week old newbies have also lost a few feathers. I wondered if it was just 'baby fluff'.

[house-elf]

At 20 weeks I think it is unlikely to be a moult, maybe just some young feathers coming out.

 

I brought home two newbies aged 13 weeks a few days ago and they have lost a fair few feathers. I think it is something to do with the move....I sat outside with them all day yesterday and know that they are not pecking.

 

A tonic can`t hurt them so give it a go but i am sure they will settle into things.

 

ACV should not be used in metal containers....I think it corrodes them

 

 

Yes, my 14 week old newbies have also lost a few feathers. I wondered if it was just 'baby fluff'.

 

i read that they have 3 partial moults, the last one being about 20-22 weeks then after that one moult per year ?

[Egluntyne]

ACV is ok in a stainless steel drinker, it is the galvanised ones that should be avoided as the acid caused pitting.

 

The hens are possibly just going through a mini moult. A tonic and a few meal worms should help them over it.

[Spuddy]

Stainless Steel has no problem at all with acids (vinegar is basically a very dilute Acetic Acid), Egluntine is right that galvanised ones WILL have a problem with acid.

Salt is the substance that MUST be avoided with S/S as it will eventually cause deep pitting and eventually perforation.

 

I read on the forum here (a long time ago) about adding Apple Cider Vinegar to the drinking water and do it regularly. I don't think it helps much during a moult. I seem to remember that is was a digestive aid or helped to maintain a healthy gut?

[The Dogmother]

You're right, it's more of a general tonic, but mainly for gut health.