Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[WhoDatChick]

Not really a fluffy butt, and not yet Friday
Dotty has the most beautiful tail. It is more striking than her little fluffy butt.
She settled next to me for a preening session (she is molting again) and I took some pics of her back end.

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Wait.. is Dottie one of your new ones? How could she be molting twice already

 

[WhoDatChick]

I felt it last year with Mal and I feel it now. They don't make it easy, do they?

Now you might understand why I rehomed my Cochins... who were continuously broody.. WITHOUT any eggs

 

[RoyalChick]

Wait.. is Dottie one of your new ones? How could she be molting twice already

I was worried about that except they are so obviously in good health it is hard to worry for long. There are gray feathers everywhere and both Dotty and Minnie have bits of fluff sticking up in all directions, and when they run (which they do a lot) they leave a cloud of dust and feathers behind them.
I tried to look up what is normal - they are ~13 weeks old - and what I read was this:
" Chicks go through four stages of molts before they reach adulthood. These typically happen at 1 to 6 weeks, 7 to 9 weeks, 12 to 13 weeks, and 20 to 22 weeks."
So I am thinking we had the 9 week molt then now the 13 weeks sort of give or take a few days.
The source of that quote is Tractor Supply so not exactly the scientific holy grail, but it did reassure me that they aren't terminally ill (along with their high energy and continuous running and flying around).
Do you think that is right? Should I worry? And if I should worry, what should I do?
They already have high protein commercial feed and the Palace is big enough that they get some forage (plus the leaf mountain bugs and kitchen scraps).
I haven't let them free range yet because they are not yet responsible enough for my comfort. The Princesses rush back to the Palace if they see anything scary and I can get them to come if I call (well mostly) but the Young Ladies are still pretty wild at heart.
They really do seem like healthy young birds (says me who never raised a chicken from baby before!).

 

[BY Bob]

Now you might understand why I rehomed my Cochins... who were continuously broody.. WITHOUT any eggs

That would be VERY hard. I am starting to understand.

 

[BY Bob]

I was worried about that except they are so obviously in good health it is hard to worry for long. There are gray feathers everywhere and both Dotty and Minnie have bits of fluff sticking up in all directions, and when they run (which they do a lot) they leave a cloud of dust and feathers behind them.
I tried to look up what is normal - they are ~13 weeks old - and what I read was this:
" Chicks go through four stages of molts before they reach adulthood. These typically happen at 1 to 6 weeks, 7 to 9 weeks, 12 to 13 weeks, and 20 to 22 weeks."
So I am thinking we had the 9 week molt then now the 13 weeks sort of give or take a few days.
The source of that quote is Tractor Supply so not exactly the scientific holy grail, but it did reassure me that they aren't terminally ill (along with their high energy and continuous running and flying around).
Do you think that is right? Should I worry? And if I should worry, what should I do?
They already have high protein commercial feed and the Palace is big enough that they get some forage (plus the leaf mountain bugs and kitchen scraps).
I haven't let them free range yet because they are not yet responsible enough for my comfort. The Princesses rush back to the Palace if they see anything scary and I can get them to come if I call (well mostly) but the Young Ladies are still pretty wild at heart.
They really do seem like healthy young birds (says me who never raised a chicken from baby before!).

I have to say that I have not noticed molts like that with my young ones. Has anyone else? I suppose they could be small molts where you don't end up with one looking like Alice.

 

[RoyalChick]

I have to say that I have not noticed molts like that with my young ones. Has anyone else? I suppose they could be small molts where you don't end up with one looking like Alice.

Definitely not like Alice. I would be freaking out if there was anything like that.
lots of feathers in the ground and lots of feathers on the the young ladies too.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

It looks like our utility lines carry an ave of 700 Amps. It also depends on weather and temp. Found this on the web - amp rating on power lines

Table shows amp ratings for one type of stranded bare aluminum conductor exposed to different ambient conditions. 77° to 104°F with sun and wind and without. Wind and and no sun cools power lines. Typical distribution line might be 900 kcmil or about 7/8" diameter. Power lines can carry more amps on cool windy days. Heat works against electric transmission and distribution. Aluminum is relatively inexpensive, abundant, lightweight, strong, durable, and conductive, making aluminum and aluminum alloy conductors the best choice for transmission and distribution lines.
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Very interesting!! One of my best friends is a lineman for PP&L(Pennsylvania Power & Light). She takes the most amazing photos from atop poles.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Not really a fluffy butt, and not yet Friday
Dotty has the most beautiful tail. It is more striking than her little fluffy butt.
She settled next to me for a preening session (she is molting again) and I took some pics of her back end.

View attachment 2316861View attachment 2316862View attachment 2316863View attachment 2316864

Such perfect feathers!! Be sure to save them, if you find them!

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

There are now 2

Mr. Squirrel has brought in reinforcements. One each for Lilly and Phyllis now.
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That's Mrs. Squirrel, she didn't understand why he kept coming back empty handed!!!

 

[WhoDatChick]

I was worried about that except they are so obviously in good health it is hard to worry for long. There are gray feathers everywhere and both Dotty and Minnie have bits of fluff sticking up in all directions, and when they run (which they do a lot) they leave a cloud of dust and feathers behind them.
I tried to look up what is normal - they are ~13 weeks old - and what I read was this:
" Chicks go through four stages of molts before they reach adulthood. These typically happen at 1 to 6 weeks, 7 to 9 weeks, 12 to 13 weeks, and 20 to 22 weeks."
So I am thinking we had the 9 week molt then now the 13 weeks sort of give or take a few days.
The source of that quote is Tractor Supply so not exactly the scientific holy grail, but it did reassure me that they aren't terminally ill (along with their high energy and continuous running and flying around).
Do you think that is right? Should I worry? And if I should worry, what should I do?
They already have high protein commercial feed and the Palace is big enough that they get some forage (plus the leaf mountain bugs and kitchen scraps).
I haven't let them free range yet because they are not yet responsible enough for my comfort. The Princesses rush back to the Palace if they see anything scary and I can get them to come if I call (well mostly) but the Young Ladies are still pretty wild at heart.
They really do seem like healthy young birds (says me who never raised a chicken from baby before!).

I’m not sure if I’ve ever noticed this before either... not to say it didn’t happen though.. and maybe it’s different with each breed .. and the extent of it as well... my Ruby (RIR) has been looking shabby for some time now and today I noticed that the edges of her wing feathers are all tattered.... I will try and get some pics later to show yall...