Moulting Woe!

[woodruffsdad]

For the past 3 weeks my 2 girls have been moulting. There are feathers everywhere, they have stopped laying completely, they look very bedraggled and they are very lifeless. Not at all inquisitive and 'chirpy' as they used to be. They are eating but not as much as usual.

Is there anything I can do or give them that will help them through this difficult time?

 

[chrismahon]

We switch ours onto rearer pellets when they are moulting and not laying. Usually it has a little bit more protein in and also has less Calcium, which they don't need when they are not making egg shells. Anything with a high protein content will help them Woodruffsdad. Sterile maggots, mealworms or sunflower hearts are all much higher in protein than pellet feed. Not too much though. Avoid mixed grain which effectively lowers their protein intake and avoid picking them up because new feathers are delicate and their skin will be sore.

 

[Marigold]

I find that with older hens there's no need to switch pellets, though you can if you like of course, as eating layers feed whilst not laying for a while does help them to restore the levels of calcium in their reserves, which will have been depleted by constant laying. Also it helps them to produce new feathers, which need calcium as well as protein. Normal pellets are fine, they don't need too many extras, though of course thy will love a few treats. Go easy on the sunflower seeds though, unless they are very debilitated, as sunflower seeds are high in fat as well as protein. I just leave mine to get on with it, no special diet, provide greens and fresh water and they will soon look a lot better.
Your girls are pefectly normal, and when they get their new plumage they will become more lively and beautiful again.