[animal mad]

hi, does anyone know of anything to help promote feather growth. i have been given two bantam orpingtons, one is point of lay the other is a grower, they have both been badly feathered pecked, we have had them for 3 days they are really scared hopefully in time they will calm down, they have apple vinegar in their water, any other ideas to help improve their condition would be great.   

[joyfull]

some people increase their protein to help speed the growth up 

[themagicaltoad1]

A bit of fish flavoured cat food will give them a boost.

[TeaPots]

aww bless. I would just cut out all treats, give breeders pellets, mixed with a tiny pinch of calcium. Plenty of peace and quiet in a small and shady cool run.  Feathers will be slower growing if the girls are very hot, and breeders pellets are slightly higher protein. Snacks and treats will reduce the quantity of pellets they can fit into their crops. Watch out for any breaks in the skin, and if they have totally bald patches, keep them safe from sunburn.

Most of all, they need love. If you have the time, take your cuppa out and drink it while standing watching them. They'll get used to you in a calm way, and you'll bond with them. Watching behaviour is the easiest way to identify the first signs of any problems too. As for you, it is the greatest stress reliever.

[animal mad]

Thanks for all your help I will let you know how they get on.they are a lot calmer today amd already have some tiffs of feather fluff

[Wild Pony]

My own trick that works well with ex-batts is tease them over to (and I don't want to advertise) is Allen & Page Layers in the morning, poultry corn with a dusting of poultry spice and a drizzle of cod liver oil and mixed well in the evening. I use the CLO and spice each winter to help keep them warm.

All I can say is, that it works for me.....

[animal mad]

They are both doing fine, the younger one has a lot of feather growth already, the  older one is laying so i suppose it is all going to take longer, both seem calmer now which is brilliant