Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: linzechris on January 12, 2009, 12:15

Title: Is it moulting time?
Post by: linzechris on January 12, 2009, 12:15

Hi, I have had some ex battery hens since August and when they came they were scantily clad!
Mostly the feathers have grown back but on one of the girls that had a completely bare belly, they have hardly grown back at all and her belly is still bare,which worries me in the cold weather we have been having.
Is there anything I can do to encourage feather growth or will they start growing in spring?

Title: Is it moulting time?
Post by: nnbreeder on January 13, 2009, 06:08

Usually the feathers are rubbed off like that due to them roosting on the floor of their wire bottomed cages. You might check to make sure she is going to roost instead of sleeping on the floor.

A treat of tinned beef cat food, about a teaspoon full daily will boost the protien level and help her to grow feathers back.

Title: Is it moulting time?
Post by: Aunt Sally on January 13, 2009, 16:58

Quote from: "nnbreeder"

A treat of tinned beef cat food, about a teaspoon full daily will boost the protien level and help her to grow feathers back.

Great idea - most hens will kill large dogs to get at the cat food  :lol:

Title: Is it moulting time?
Post by: Foxy on January 13, 2009, 17:28

Quote from: "Aunt Sally"

Quote from: "nnbreeder"

A treat of tinned beef cat food, about a teaspoon full daily will boost the protien level and help her to grow feathers back.

Great idea - most hens will kill large dogs to get at the cat food  :lol:

maybe that should read large cats Auntie??? :lol:  :lol:

Title: Is it moulting time?
Post by: Aunt Sally on January 13, 2009, 17:52

Mine'll kill cats just to get at the bird seed  :scratch:

I think Aunty's a bit confused (poor old thing) :albino: