Valkyrie Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 So there we were a couple of weeks ago - sin bin for Pippin the broody wheaten maran. Next she starts moulting. Well OK she'll be warm for winter when all the others start losing their feathers. Today she is partially feathered with spiky bits and hey ho, collecting eggs I couldn't believe she'd laid an egg! There it was all lovely dark brown - I've never had that happen before with a bird moulting - they usually restart sometime after feathering up. I'd better get some more minerals for her because I don't want her going all weak at the knees with calcium deficiency!!! Anyone else have that happen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 No,l when mine moulted they were oven ready and did not lay till they were fully feathered and back to normal - you must be being good to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlover12 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 So there we were a couple of weeks ago - sin bin for Pippin the broody wheaten maran. Next she starts moulting. Well OK she'll be warm for winter when all the others start losing their feathers. Today she is partially feathered with spiky bits and hey ho, collecting eggs I couldn't believe she'd laid an egg! There it was all lovely dark brown - I've never had that happen before with a bird moulting - they usually restart sometime after feathering up. I'd better get some more minerals for her because I don't want her going all weak at the knees with calcium deficiency!!! Anyone else have that happen? Not a clue lol I wouldn't worry too much about it though providing she still appears heathy. I would just increase her protein intake and minerals and she should be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Give that hen a gold star She sounds like a real trooper, all I can think is that she is naturally so productive that her inclination to produce an egg overrides the strain it may put on her; its not common to lay whilst still in moult. But the sign of a good layer is a quick moult, so if you wanted to breed your own layers, she would be the Mum to choose She should get enough protein/calcium from her usual feed, but the odd protein rich treat won't hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 going all weak at the knees with calcium deficiency!!! That made me laugh . (Not at the poor girl having a calcium deficiency, obviously!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I blame her bonkers owner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 You cheeky monkey!!!! They've been having tuna, crickets and mealworms - spoilt they are!!! I think one or two crickets may have got away because I can hear them - although we also get grasshoppers here and seeing as that part is fenced off we will continue to have grasshoppers! I hope she lives long enough for me to move and get her a hubby Daphne! Interesting point though. It is a relay moult - new wings, partial feathering on her neck and a bottom with lots of spikes surrounded with fluff (sort of like those tranquilizer darts) - she isn't oven ready! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
