Feather-Gram

              LIBRARY
COOPENATIVE EXTENSION SENVICE
NElil MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY
'tJ IJ. S. DEPANTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
STTTE
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La s Cruces , New Mexico 88001 Vol ume 21 - Number 4 /5 April - May 1980
Molt - Loss of Feathers
One of the cal'ls we receive frequent'ly involves the loss of feathers in laying hens.
There have been a number of people seeking help during the past month or two. The loss
of feathers may be attributed to four general causes. Mo'lt, cannibalism, diet or mating.
Let's look at each.
Molt - This is the loss or shedding and renewal of feathers: molting normal]y occurs
aboutGe a year. With the improvement of egg production, there is generally an over
lapping of laying period and the loss of feathers. Some maymo'lt in July and August,
othbrs-in latL tatl and some may lay and molt at the same time. A slow molter is usually
a low producing hen whereas a rapid molter is genera'lly a high producing hen. There is a
definite pattern in the way feathers are lost. Molt is used in cul1ing. Here the primary
feathers should be examined as the way they are 'lost indicates whether the bird is a s'low
or rapid molter. The time and rate of molt are influenced by weight, and physical con-dition
of the hens and environmental conditions including feed'ing and management.
Cannibalism - This is looked uponasa vbe where chickens pu'll feathers and may eat
sorne.--Dda:[fi1tff occur. There havdbeen many factors which are thought to ]ead to this.
They include lack of salt or fibre in the diet, crowding, pe1lets, ernpty feeders, rations
low in protein, and brood'ing at high temperatures. It is hard to put a finger on the
direct cause. There are a number practices which may be used as aids in over^coming ^ . the problem. Generally speaking, good management including brooding at 88-90"F (3'l-32"C),
a good diet and adequate space aid in preventing cannibalism.
Diet - If one feeds a commercial feed designed for a specific job, norrnal]y, loss
of feaffirs is not a problem. For example, d layer feed of 16-18 percent prote'in; starter
feed for chicks 21-?2 percent protein, layer developer containing 15-'16 percent p_rotein;
while broiler feeds contain about 23-24 protein the first 5-6 weeks followed by finisher
ration of 20-21 percent protein. Turkey feed on the other hand should contain 28 percent
in the starting ration for the first 4 weeks. This is reduced gradually to 14 percent at
2A-24 weeks of age. Genera'lly speaking, commercial feeds are well balanced and provide
adequate nutrients for growth- or egg production. The problem in New Mexico is that it
is difficult to obtain turkey or game bird feeds. They may be avai'lable in a few loca'lities
but reports indi.cate that most turkeys are started on chick starter. This does not carry
the level of nutnients required for adequate growth of turkeys. A similar problem exists
for broilers" These inadequate diets often results with poor growth and feathering. The
loss of feathers with feather eating developing may occur.
Feeding grains, table scraps, alfalfa, waste garden produce and other foods of low
^r,utritional'vilue wil'l also result in poor feathering or loss of feathers. Grain for
|llampte contains only 8-1'l percent protein so the birds are in a protein.deficient state
-and lhe feathers suf?er because they consist of protein. Adequate protein is lacking to
pi;Jvia. normii maintenance along wiih good egg pi^oduction when items such as'listed above
serve as the bulk of the ration.