[Mr R Design]

Is it moulting season as I haven't been through it before and the coop and run looks like an eiderdown has been ripped open?

Last winter was their first winter, I had them as POL around June 2015.

[Beekissed]

Yep...tis the season.  My yard looks like a ticker tape parade has went through it. 

[Sassy]

Some can end up looking oven ready 

[sunshineband]

Do you have to give them any extra food to help grow new feathers?

[New shoot]

Do you have to give them any extra food to help grow new feathers?

Mine don't get any extras when they moult, but they don't do such a dramatic de-feathering job.

If you have hens modelling the oven ready look, a bit of extra protein rich food can help, but only small amounts.  Anything you give needs to be low in saturated fat and low sodium. 

If they free-range, they will get their own from scratching for worms and slugs 

[Beekissed]

I agree.  Mine doesn't get any extra supplements for molting as they get pretty rich provender out on range anyway.   

[Mr R Design]

Mine seem to turn their noses up at worms and slugs they appear to prefer sliced steak and prawns

[Flowerpower136]

Mine recently caught and ate a mole and were delighted with themselves. So I dont think they need to much extra from me.
Depends what they usually have access to really.

[greenjay]

wish mine could be trained to catch moles.

[Flowerpower136]

   No training. All their own work!  Didn't know whether to be proud or horrified!

[greenjay]

proud I would  have thought. that's nature for you.
after saying that I think most pests should be controlled.
 you will certainly never eradicate the mole, just look around the countryside.

[Mr R Design]

I regularly have Great Tits nesting in one of the bird boxes and when they fledged this year one of them crash landed into a plant border.

Guess who beat me to it!!!!!

It's amazing how much can be devoured in 30 seconds!

[Flowerpower136]

Oh no! That's even sadder than the chomped mole!

I was proud of them really. Saves me the hassle of bothering with traps. My neighbour's cat does his bit to help too. Not an opportunist like the chooks though, his way involves strategy. Sits for hours staring at molehills waiting for the soil to twitch! 

[Sassy]

If you are concerned cat food, not poultry flavoured!, has been recommended to give them a boost. I have used a poultry tonic. But they do sort themselves out although if they are not free range a boost is a good idea.