[RICH_Chicken]

Ive got 6 ex-batts had them around nearly two weeks getting three/four eggs a day,  went into the run this morning everything fine, then got home from work and went to check on the girls to find FEATHERS all over the run! Im worried something may have attacked a hen? but they are only small feathers? the kind i find in the hen house every so often? could they be moulting? and does this look like a sign?

Any Advice PLEASE!!

Rich _Chicken

[joyfull]

yes winter is the normal time for hens to moult

[RICH_Chicken]

PHewww 

There seems to be lots in the sand box i built them, an im sure if anything would have attacked the hens surly would have killed them?

Is there any signs i need to look for to confirm this other than them going bold?

An is there anything extra i should be doing?

Thanks

Rich_Chicken

[sally10]

Hi,
I've been giving mine a drop of apple cider vinegar in their water, but only use it in plastic drinkers !
They seem to like it. I also give mine a drop of poultry tonic every now and again in their water.
I have read on here that you can increase their protein intake , I gave mine a tin of tuna fish the other day they went mad for it !! But that's an expensive treat !!!!!!
Not all mine have moulted but one was really bald but the new feathers have soon grown and now she looks beautiful and soft again !!

[tstainesmoore]

Hi yeah they are going through a moult however thiso can whenever depending on teh weather throughout the year, it is more likely to occur in winter so that they have a new set of feathers for the cold winter and early spring. if it was a fox then you wouldn't have any chickens left. as they are ex battery birds then they are very productive layers and a balanced diet of layers pellest with an occasional treat would be ideal. giving them high protein supplements will reduce their egg production layers pellets for them is a balanced diet.

[flimbin]

I was just about to post with exactly the same subject. I would not have put the exclamation marks in, but that's just me !
i.e. One is always enough.
I digress.

One of my chickens has just done this as well. Seems a strange time of the year to be moulting, but if that's what can happen, then that's what's happening. I  gave them some apple cider vinegar and some fishy cat food.
After reading this post, I can now stop worrying. Thanks.