Chook n Boo Mum Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 So as not to hijack Fur'n'Feathers thread, I'll start my own !! None of my hybrids are moulting yet, but it would appear that all my Orpies are having a go...what can I expect apart from no eggs and the garden looking like a pillow has exploded everywhere...they aren't showing any bald patches (except where Willow plucked them ) although their bellies are very thin.............. They are getting occasional treats of maggots as Buffie is getting them to encourage her to eat & hopefully put on some of her rather extreme broody weightloss. I'll order some mealworms so they can move on to them...though even I am getting hardened to the sight of maggots .........if my poorly baby eats them that's fine by me Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I would have thought it was the same for any other breed, although they can vary anyway as individuals. It usually takes a few weeks to lose a feather and regrow it, and again it depends how many feathers they lose at once - sometimes they only lose a few at a time so it extends the moult. One of mine lost nearly all her feathers overnight but she was fully refeathered after about 4 weeks. You can help by giving the extra protein such as organic cat food; rinsed tuna or some chick crumbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Sha - my LF tend to lose their feathers quite quickly (not started yet) and it can take 3 months or slightly more for them to properly 100% refeather. I slos have a daft little bantam orp who is about 14 months old. She's been broody 3 times, laid like a trooper in between broods, lost some feathers in a mini-moult a few weeks ago to go with broody-baldness, and has started laying again even tho far from fully feathered! She isn't usual tho!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 ooh watching this thread with interest as OSH is moulting too. My garden also looks like some kids have had a major pillow fight. Although I am a little concerned as I was dishing out broad beans last night as treats and normally OSH is falling over herslef to be front in line but she hung back. Does a moult make them feel rough? or should I be looking for another problem/illness? Sorry for the thread hijack Sha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 It definitely takes it out of them. You know how much feather and particularly fluff is on an orp so you can imagine how much energy goes into regrowing all those quills. So, its quite normal for them to be a bit quiet, lethargic and non-greedy (hard to believe I know!) Keep an eye obviously, in case she's masking something, but its likely just to be the effort. There are threads about foods to up the protein levels - the only one I remember is tinned tuna/cat food. I don't feed anything extra myself, except a bit of tonic/spice. I can't quite remember how long it takes for the feathers to drop in the first place - 1-2 weeks in total I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted August 27, 2009 Author Share Posted August 27, 2009 Sorry for the thread hijack Sha Hijack all you like Em, it's all relevant to what our babies are going through! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 (edited) Well, I had a cuddle with OSH, my moulting Jubilee Orp, this evening and her crop is empty I had a "feel" up her tummy and she is def short a fair few feathers, When I really had a rummage I could feel the new feather quils already. I think she will be having some tuna for breakfast as she looked so sorry for herself. I hope it is just a moult Edited August 27, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted August 27, 2009 Author Share Posted August 27, 2009 Just a moult please They are a worry these girls aren't they I've just nearly had heartfailure in the garden, I was out shutitng up the eglu door & collecting the babies feeders etc & walked over to check the WIR & Blossom's new run & saw something moving in the WIR........it was grey & about large mouse/small rat size.......I was about to scream the place down when I squinted & realised it was a feather blowing in the wind Should wear my glasses out to check on the chooks !!!! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Bless ya Sha! Glasses do help with this chook malarky though! I went to shut my big girls back in the WIR and could only see 5! Where was the sixth!!!!???? In the dustbath trug I couldn`t see for looking without my specs! Yep for just a moult making her feel low. I am home tomorrow so will be able to keep an eye on her. (and monitor noise levels from "Loves the sound of her own voice" and "Well if she is shouting I will too!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
