[wolverine]

I have a hen who is moulting and she has gone off her food runs away like I'm the devil and looks a right mess her comb has gone from a massive red whiff to a pathetic small pink thing and I have noticed her opening her mouth like she is yawning I read this is a sigh of gape worm I flubenveted them in April I want to do it again to eliminate gape worm. Is this advisable during a moult if she is really struggling with it? I don't want to make her worse how long can it last?  She will only eat meal worms she isn't interested in pellets so wonder if it would even help she used to be top hen now she looks like a battery hen I'm worried about her. Also it looks like I'm not taking care of them. which is annoying as I spare no expense to make them happy hens.  I hope I'm worrying about nothing can someone give me some gidance please I don't want to lose her.

[Aunt Sally]

She just sounds like a normal hen in a moult.

*  They go off their regular feed.

*  They eat feathers - which makes them gape as the get stuck in their throat.

*  They look dreadful.


So don't worry, she'll be fine

[wolverine]

Thanks hope your right 

[bantam novice]

I agree with Aunt Sally here and just wanted to wish you luck 

[wolverine]

should she be getting poultry spice? I have a day off so I could pick some up later on.
just out of interest does anyone know why they would moult at this time of year ? surely evolution would have selected birds that moult in the spring or summer it just doesn't make any sense.
I don't know about suvival of the fittest with hens it must be

 suvival of the thickest ha ha ha 

[rachelr]

I have been worried about mine too. they are malting and gaping. I have just flubenvetted them so I know that they dont have gape worm. However, I have had to clip their wings last week as they seem to prefer my neighbours garden and she defo doesnt like them in it.

sooo maybe they just ate their feathers thanks folks.

Wolverine they malt now because of the weather. they need so many hours of sun to lay and if they dont get it they make the most of using their calcium on new feathers.

If she has energy to run away she is OK. when mine are poorly they are a lot easier to catch lol

[wolverine]

I have bought some poultry spice and it smells great what's the best way to feed it? mix it in a mash? Sprinkle it over wet greens? can I overdose them on it? how does it help them through a moult? there isn't much info on the tub just ingredients and dosage. 

[orchardlady]

I sprinkle Poultry Spice over my girls layers pellets or corn and put a good glug of cod liver oil on top. I then give it a very thorough stir so that all the pellets or corn are coated with the spice and oil. Yum!

[bantam novice]

Jamie Oliver would be proud 

[wolverine]

Is it possible to give them to much cod liver oil? I have a bottle but usually only put a tea spoon in every now and then....:. I just wonder if I give them too much supliments sometimes

[hillfooter]

Is it possible to give them to much cod liver oil? I have a bottle but usually only put a tea spoon in every now and then....:. I just wonder if I give them too much supliments sometimes

If they are eating mash or pellets the poultry spice is surplus to requirements.  It only is of value to provide PS if they are getting a imbalanced diet such as only corn (or mealworms).

I'd give them a multivit in preference to PS which is an old timers remedy to offset feeding on household waste food.

I'd also agree with Auntie they can look really out of condition during a moult but will pull through hopefully.

Don't overdo the supplements.

Please could someone tell me what breed of birds malt as I've always wanted chx that make beer once they stop laying

HF

[minniebantam]

My hens are in the moult, not eating much and looking tragic! the mealworms will provide protein which is good, I also give sunflowers seeds, but in both cases small amounts and only twice a week, if that. Poultry spice is helpful, I give a half teaspoon to my five hens and sprinkle it on their pellets. As suggested best not to overdue the supplements.
They will soon be in the pink again, don't worry.

[rachelr]

Hey mine malt all the time or is that me who takes malt all the time lol