Hi there Treats for Chickens community, Dawn here!
What the heck is molting season?
You’ll know it’s molting season if your flock’s plumage looks considerably thin, scraggly and there are feathers all about your coop, and run + hens’ egg production drops significantly (or stops altogether). Molting is stressful and tiring for your chickens, so you will likely even notice a change in the way they act. {aka: *itchy, withdrawn, lower in the pecking order than normal, more apt to screeching, etc}. Normally, the molting process lasts eight to twelve weeks, but by following these simple tips, you can help your flock get through their molt and possibly even speed up the process.
One of my darlings definitely had a better feathered day.
1. Keep the Coop Clean
Keeping their coop clean is where I suggest you start. During the molting season, their coop will become littered with feathers quickly and frequently, so make sure to be proactive in keeping their space as clean and tidy as possible. I try to remember to save a few pretty feathers from year-to-year. Also, do your best to ensure the coop is comfortable and well-ventilated. A hot, stuffy coop is a breeding ground for ickies.
2. Avoid Over-Handling
Try to avoid handling your chickens as much as possible. Handling your chickens during their molt can be painful to them, especially when their pin feathers begin to emerge from their exposed skin. Give your chickens time and space for their plumage to grow. Beautiful and healthy feathers are developing!
3. Feed Them a High-Protein Diet
Providing your flock with high-protein, nutrient-rich foods is arguably the best thing you can do to get them through the molting season. Feed them fewer snacks low in protein, such as cheep scratch, fruits, and vegetables. Since their feathers comprise approximately 85% protein, your hens’ egg production stops simply because they don’t have enough protein and other vital nutrients to produce them.
4. No New Additions to the Flock
Lastly, avoid adding new chickens to your flock. New additions to the group lead to unease and changes in the pecking order. Molting gives them enough stress to deal with as it is!
The molting season can be a difficult time for your flock, but by following these tips, your chickens get through it with ease. For more awesome ideas to keep your flock happy, check out other Treats for Chickens items in the blog.
MOLT MENDER RECIPE: Tips For Use Section, here!
- Dawn, Treats for Chickens 🧡
Let's keep your flock happy + healthy!
Got something to cluck about? Have other suggestions? Questions?
Help fellow chicken parents and leave a comment below!
