house-elf Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 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'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
house-elf Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 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 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spuddy Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 You're right, it's more of a general tonic, but mainly for gut health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
