Anyone have luck catching a feral chicken?? UPDATE: Rooster caught, no hen

[FlyingNunFarm]

I'll take pictures of the remnants of the plant when I can get free from work. I don't remember exactly. This is really bugging you isn't it?

Now I really want to know! You've got several of us guessing. LOL

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I'm wondering if I have a young molter...? I was told she's 7 months old. I got her as a lone hen and she Bantam. I thought my other little girl (not 3 lbs) needed a little friend. Of course they don't hang out.

She hasn't laid an egg for me. I thought it was the stress from the move. Then maybe the daylight. But she really looks like she's molting.


I'm questioning her legs too...
Scaley leg mites? I can barely find her feet under all the feathers. LOL

 

[21hens-incharge]

She does look to be molting.

Treating for mites won't hurt her any even if she doesn't have them.
I would clean her legs and feet with warm soapy water and put vasaline on them.
Cleaning with the foot feathers is a bit more challenging.

I think looking at the pics she is at least a year old but not elderly at all.

Imma go check my oldest Cochin's feet for comparison......
Brb

 

[21hens-incharge]

This is Bitty's foot. She is around 7+ years old.

Not sure you can see the leg well.

I DID pick up the other oldie. Her legs are rather ugly ....... I may need to treat mine too.


Now I have some reading up to do...

I have several feather footed birds....some are massive and do NOT want picked up.

I will post helpful info I find re leg mites.

That pic is blurry when expanded....
I will make herd mad again later.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

@21hens-incharge Thanks. I thought I was losing it. A molt before a year would be odd but who knows. As long as she's healthy. She's got feathers coming in everywhere. Looks like a normal molt to me, except for the age.

I don't think I can wash her legs. It's a tad to cold and she's tiny. I could dry brush them to loosen anything then coat them.

 

[21hens-incharge]

We are cold here too.
Mineral oil, olive oil, vegetable oil and other oils are listed in this article about them.
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/scaly-leg-mites

There are also specific sprays for treatment. I am looking for them and more info since Smudge looks bad.

 

[staceyj]

I'm still considering whether or not we'd like to keep bees. I mean, I KNOW I'd definitely would, but I don't think the neighborhood would draw bees, nor has enough foliage catered to bees. Planning on planting a bunch of butterfly and bee bushes and see what comes. Maybe rethink it again in a few years.

Out of everything in my garden this year the bees loved the garlic chive flowers the very very very best.

 

[staceyj]

Allium. View attachment 1186653

Aka garlic chives! I should have kept reading!

 

[staceyj]

Nope looked like pom poms with long floppy strings.

 

[staceyj]

@21hens-incharge Thanks. I thought I was losing it. A molt before a year would be odd but who knows. As long as she's healthy. She's got feathers coming in everywhere. Looks like a normal molt to me, except for the age.

I don't think I can wash her legs. It's a tad to cold and she's tiny. I could dry brush them to loosen anything then coat them.

I have February babies molting now. My DH's feeling are hurt because his favorite chicken doesn't want to be held.
No sign if parasites AT ALL, anywhere, but she is full of new feathers growing in.