Poultry Lifestyle Molt Mastery
• Offer Supplemental Lighting: If your flock’ s molt is affecting egg production, consider providing supplemental lighting in the coop to extend daylight hours. Adding light in the morning or evening can help maintain egg production, but it’ s important to balance this with the need for your birds to rest and recuperate during molting. Aim for about 14-16 hours of light per day and use a timer to ensure consistent lighting.
• Monitor Health Closely: Keep a close eye on your flock during the winter molt. Watch for signs of illness, excessive weight loss or unusual behavior. Birds going through a molt may be more susceptible to illness, so it’ s important to address any health issues promptly. Ensure they have access to clean water, as dehydration can be a risk in winter if water sources freeze.
• Encourage Activity: While molting birds may be less active, it’ s still important to encourage some level of movement to keep them healthy. Providing enrichment, such as hanging treats or scattering feed to encourage foraging, can help keep them engaged. Offering a dust bath inside the coop can also help with feather maintenance and provide a natural behavior outlet.
Managing a winter molt requires extra care and attention, but with the right approach, your flock can come through it healthy and ready for the next season. By boosting their nutrition, providing warmth and minimizing stress, you will help your birds grow strong, new feathers and maintain their overall well-being during the cold months. Although winter molting can be a challenging time for both birds and their keepers, the right care and management practices can make a significant difference.
With your support, your poultry will appear from the molt with fresh, vibrant plumage, ready to face the rest of the winter and the arrival of spring.
About the Author:
Alexandra Doss has been working with poultry for over 18 years. She is known as the Quail Lady, as Coturnix quail was her first specialty on her selective breeding operation, Stellar Game Birds, Poultry, Waterfowl LLC, in Florida. She has written two books on Coturnix husbandry. She and her husband focus on breeding heritage animals and breed preservation.
AcreageLife. com www. outdoorhands. com
Reader Service No. 1888
December 2024 AcreageLife 13