Old Hazel Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 Hi We are new to hen-keeping and are nervously going through our first moult. A couple of our chickens now have bald patches on their necks - it has happened so quick and is quite a shock . We've been reading on here and have ordered some Nettex moulting tonic - waiting for that to come. But it seems that we should be making sure we feed them plenty of protein. They have layers pellets but we can't get growers pellets (as some have suggested) right now as we live abroad. I'll go to the supermarket and look for some tuna in water too. Can anyone suggest any other protein to give them? I'm a bit nervous about giving them cat food in case they end up eating chicken . I'd be glad to hear what you can suggest. I guess you get used to it but it is all a bit frightening (and it seems so stupid that it is happening now when it is so cold!). Thanks for any help guys! Hazel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 Tuna and sardines are good If you cant get growers can you get chick food (crumb?) or turkey or quail food - all will be ok to give Some people give fishmeal too but not too much as that can taint any eggs they may lay If you cant get any extra protein for them dont worry, just keep them sheltered and well fed and they will come through it no problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hazel Posted January 1, 2011 Author Share Posted January 1, 2011 Thanks Tasha! I just took up some sardines and mixed corn and I've never seen 4 hens eat so fast! Could they have fish every day? Will this affect the taste of the eggs? Happy New YEAR by the way! Hazel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
green Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 Mine haven't had a moult yet, but I gave them some tuna when the weather was really cold and it disappeared pretty sharpish! Hope your girls feather up soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 I give mine corn mixed with cod liver oil, they love it and it has lots of goodness, I really need to remember to take my cod liver oil to (for my joint not moulting)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 If we have any Quorn mince left over after dinner they usually get that - vegetarian but high in protein. The youngsters here are under strict instructions not to s"Ooops, word censored!"e their plates into the bin because the birds can eat it! Other than that cod liver oil with corn and tuna and some bokashi perhaps a little pasta. Strange how the cod liver oil loses it's horrible smell when you mix in the tuna. Then you have all the girls desperate for their tea and almost climbing up you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickyhazel Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 You can mix in some cod liver oil with layers pellets and add some poultry spice - this is good for moulting chickens as it gives them both protein and a general 'good health' tonic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hazel Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 Thanks everyone. Poor girls look very tatty. Only the Marans have really started but the Araucanas are losing a few feathers. It sounds like cod liver oil will go down well - I didn't know the oil would be ok for them. I like the idea of the Quorn mince too. I'm a bit afraid their eggs will turn out fishy if I keep feeding them sardines and tuna. So far they are continuing to lay! Hazel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 No, the eggs won't taste fishy. But leeks make the egg whites taste metallic while the yolks are fine (after the hens had a raiding party in the veggie patch last year and made a big dent in the leek bed). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hazel Posted January 9, 2011 Author Share Posted January 9, 2011 Hi again The moult seems to have stopped for the moment - or it is progressing very slowly! Two hens have bare patches on their necks that don't seem to be getting bigger (say circles of about two and a half inches in diameter). Do they moult in patches? Will they grow new feathers here and then moult somewhere else later? The girls seem fine - not bothered, I guess. But it's so horrible seeing their bare skin for the first time! Thanks for any advice! Hazel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
