MOLT MUFFINS Yesterday we showed you a photo of Little Lucys molting. Today, I am showing you Black Beautys. Her molt is much worse than Lucys, due to her ENTIRE body is molting. Beautys molt just started, and she is only in the process of losing feathers, non have actually started to regrow yet. I mentioned yesterday about making Magic Molting Muffins, and honestly, I use the recipe by Fresh Eggs Daily , and may add a few things that I have on hand and well. The core recipe is: 1/2 cup of old-fashion oats 1/2 cup of shelled sunflower seed (I have also used Black Oil Sunflower Seeds & will add flax seeds, too) 1/2 cup dried mealworms 1/4 cup wheat germ 2 tablespoons powdered milk 1/4 cup raisins 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted to its liquid form) 1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses 1 cup natural UNSALTED peanut butter Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate until firm. Slice into pieces and feed to your flock. I also have added cooked quinoa in with it (you could do raw, but make sure its rinsed). I know that some of you are shaking your heads at the powdered milk, but it is great form of protein during molting season. It can cause runny poop if provided consistently, and I have never given it to my flock other than molting season. But some swear by it, and will provide it a few times a week mix in with their feed. OTHER HIGH PROTEIN FOODS: I also provide other high in protein items to change it up a bit; really because they are spoiled and I want this to be over for them as quickly as possible! I mix in a small amount of FLOCK RAISER into their feed. I do not substitute it completely, but simply mix 1 handful to 1 pound of feed. The reason why I do not fully substitute it is because we have pullets, and they should not be consuming it as their main meal source; they need a layers diet. Flock Raiser is designed for meat birds to fatten them up quickly allowing them to grow quickly I also make what I call a CHICKEN OMELET. We simply scramble an egg, add tuna fish (we use tuna in water, but you can also use salmon, sardines, trout, and quite a few others), meal worms, also mixing in the herb mix that I use for their feed. Now, since our girls are molting, eggs are at a shortage around here. So for the first time ever we will be able to use duck eggs for this omelet. To help with inflamed areas, you can also add Calendula flowers (dried or fresh). CAT FOOD is a very old fashion way of providing additional protein. There IS a difference between providing cat food and dog food as a source of protein; cat food has more of a meat/fish source, and dog food has more of a grain source. I do provide it, but only every few days, and will either mix it in with their feed or throw it down like I would cracked corn. NEVER consider it a food substitution, and I would encourage using it only during molting season. Quite a few people do not feel that it is healthy for your flock, because its is a highly processed food item which contains to much salt; feeling it contains toxins. I personally do not agree with that. If you go our and buy the cheapest cat food possible, that could very well be something to consider. But for my kitty, she gets the good stuff and the next best thing would be making her food. That is just my personal opinion, and you should make yours. UNPASTURIZED APPLE CIDER VINEGAR is a great item to provide your flock during molting. It is a very stressful time for the birds, and this will help them immensely. FEATHER EATING...yes, you read this right. Feathers contain a high amount of protein, and often a hen in molt will begin pecking at others feather to CONSUME it. So, if you happen to see this going on with a hen, she is in dire need of some extra protein. I am going to say this, not because I am bribed to or because the team of Fresh Eggs Daily and I interact on a personal level, but because I learned my method of holistic chicken keeping directly from their Facebook page and website. If you have not yet purchased Lisa Steeles book, and wish to practice preventive care for your flock using traditional herbal remedies I suggest you grab it. And for the record...I DO NOT get a kick back for promoting her book. :)
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 16:43:23 +0000
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